Traveling Through Time: The Forum Guide to Longitudinal Data Systems - Expanded Features

Traveling Through Time: The Forum Guide to Longitudinal Data Systems
Book 1 of 4: What is an LDS?

NFES 2010-805
July 2010

Acknowledgments
Foreword
List of Tables
List of Figures
Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. LDS Basics
Chapter 3. What Does an LDS Look Like? From Real to Ideal
- Basic Features
- Expanded Features
  - Interim and formative assessment data
  - Linkage to finance data
  - Linkage to facilities data
  - Data sharing with Social Services
  - Role-based stakeholder access via web-based portals
  - Other data
  - Geographic information systems
Chapter 4. Dispelling the Misconceptions: What an LDS is, and What it is Not
Chapter 5. LDS Benefits: Why Should We Build These Systems?
Appendix A—Overview of the LDS Guide Series
Appendix B— References
Appendix C—Additional References
Appendix D—Handout: Anatomy of an LDS
Appendix E—LDS in Legislation
Appendix F—Forum and Other NCES Resources
PDF & Related Info
Contact

Expanded Features - Geographic information systems

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a geographic information system (GIS) is "a computer system for the input, storage, processing, applications development, retrieval, and maintenance of information about the points, lines, and areas that represent the streets and roads, rivers, railroads, geographic entities, and other features on the surface of the Earth—information that previously was available only on paper maps." As an education LDS tool, a GIS offers unique functionalities such as providing landscape views of student population characteristics and growth, achievement data, and graduation rates. Policymakers, researchers, and parents are often especially interested in this type of information.

This page offers a rough sketch of a longitudinal data system.