21st CCLC Data Collection Application

To meet this challenge, the U.S. Department of Education hired the Tactile Group to create the first-of-its-kind cloud-based data collection and reporting system that meets federal security requirements and allows educators to tell success stories about their 21st CCLC programs.

Faced with a wide range of Internet connection speeds, computer capabilities, screen sizes, and user needs from urban to rural areas across the country, Tactile implemented a user-informed and user-focused approach to design: through ongoing user research and feedback, build a web application that removes all unnecessary data points and streamlines the user interface. Tactile employs a hybrid agile methodology to develop, maintain, and continuously improve this tool. 21APR reflects industry-standard practices of responsive web design to ensure optimized use on desktops, laptops, and mobile devices.

All hardware and software components are configured and hosted on FedRAMP-compliant Amazon Web Services. Tactile worked with OCIO requirements including updating security documentation and system assessments to meet FISMA requirements, obtain an ATO, and secure an ed.gov domain name. We have implemented security controls consistent with NIST 800-53 Revision 4 and Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12. Additionally, the site adheres to Section 508 of the Disabilities Act.

Tactile also manages a help desk that services over 2,400 users. We employ a cloud based, tiered ticketing process that allows our geographically distributed team to quickly prioritize, route, and respond to requests for support. The system also enables the team to analyze help desk response times, perform root cause analysis of issues, and identify trends that inform future system enhancements.