Content and Definitions

These resources contribute to standard, comparable, multi-use education information when they are used in developing data dictionaries, collection instruments, and reports.

Common Data Standards (CDS)

• Common Data Standards (CDS)
  The Common Data Standards (CDS) Initiative is a national, collaborative effort toward the development of model data standards for K‐12 and postsecondary education. The website includes the data elements and technical specifications as well as more information on this initiative.

Handbooks Online

• NCES Handbooks Online
  This searchable database includes P-12 education data elements in the areas of student, staff, and institutional data, and is linked to NCES's Financial Accounting for State and Local School Systems. It is updated annually and identifies elements used to meet EDFacts reporting requirements.
• Handbooks Online State Customization Tool
  This password-protected site allows authorized State education agency staff the ability to customize data elements to meet their unique needs while retaining the basic structure and organization of Handbooks Online.

Postsecondary Data Definitions

• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
  This glossary includes definitions for data items related to postsecondary education.

Coding/Classification

• Course Codes
  The Secondary School Course Classification System: School Codes for the Exchange of Data (SCED)
  This publication includes course titles, codes, and descriptions and a recommended structure for indicating course level, credit, and sequence. The site also provides an Excel file of the course codes and descriptions. A helpful SCED Overview (100 KB) document is also available to help answer some frequently asked questions from states and districts who are adopting SCED for their student records or transcripts.
• Attendance Codes
  Every School Day Counts: The Forum Guide to Collecting and Using Attendance Data (2009)
  This publication is a classification system for individual student attendance data.
• Exit Codes
  Accounting for Every Student: A Taxonomy for Standard Student Exit Codes (2006)
  A Taxonomy provides a standard approach to classifying the enrollment status (including transfer, dropped out, completed, and other non-enrolled conditions).
• Crime & Violence
  Safety in Numbers: Collecting and Using Crime, Violence, and Discipline Incident Data to Make a Difference in Schools (2002)
  Safety in Numbers is designed for use by school, district, and State staff to improve the effectiveness of their efforts as they collect and use disciplinary incident data.
• Finance Data
  Forum Guide to Core Finance Data Elements (2007)
  This document provides an overview of key finance data terms, and covers two NCES public school finance surveys: the state-level National Public Education Financial Survey and the School District Finance Survey (or F-33).

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