The Traveling Through Time: The Forum Guide to Longitudinal Data Systems series consists of
four guides intended to help state and local education agencies meet the many challenges
involved in developing a robust longitudinal data system (LDS), populating them with
quality data, and using this new information to improve the education system.
Book One of Four: What is an LDS? focuses on the fundamental questions of what an
LDS is (and what it is not), what steps should be taken to achieve a sound and successful
system, what components make up an ideal system, and why such a system is of value
to education. Book Two of Four: Planning and Developing an LDS, discusses the critical
planning and development phases of an LDS project, from stakeholder engagement and
needs assessment all the way through to system evaluation. Book Three of Four: Effectively
Managing LDS Data will explore several fundamental challenges of data management,
focusing on data governance, data quality, privacy, and security. Finally, Book Four of Four:
Advanced LDS Usage, will address the effective utilization of LDS data, discussing the
users and uses of the data; and emphasize the need for effective training and professional
development. The figure on the next page lays out the major issues covered in each of the
four books in this Forum guide series.
To order a print copy, please contact:
ED Pubs
U.S. Department of Education
P.O. Box 22207
Alexandria, VA 22304
Or call toll free 1–877–4ED–PUBS or order online at http://www.edpubs.gov