Code for America 2012 Program Application Process

Editor's Notes

1. And we think there is – now, especially. There are powerful trends in society and technology that could be leveraged for city governments. First are the developments in the web to be more interactive and open, which organizations have used to be more innovative, efficient, and dynamic. Second is the increased interest in public serviec, with record levels of volunteerism and engagement. We think we can couple these forces to create a new kind of public service – a fellowship for techies to help city governments.
2. For Boston, we plan to build on top of those cards to create a privacy sensitive application program interface – or API -- that will unite this data and enable a whole host of awesome applications. It’s basically a fundamental language that’ll allow those separate databases to talk to each other. In building the api, we’ll be creating a buffer between the individual department data, and publicly available data so that developers can build applications like administrative dashboards, teacher extra curricular assignments or health form storage for parents. We plan to create this system in a nonspecific method where any school district can use it, they just have to write the connectors to their own databases.