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Chapter 4. Dispelling the Misconceptions: What an LDS Is, and What It Is Not

There are many ideas about what constitutes a longitudinal data system (LDS) and how one is used. What is its purpose? What is its value? What components and capabilities should it have—a data warehouse, reporting and analysis tools, linkages to P–20, interoperability? While there is plenty of room for differing opinions on these questions, some commonly held beliefs about LDSs are simply wrong, and these misconceptions should be addressed. You may have heard some of these LDS misconceptions at a conference or around the office.

moon icon "Yeah, sure we have an LDS. We just rolled out our data warehouse."