Traveling Through Time: The Forum Guide to Longitudinal Data Systems - Chapter 4. Dispelling the Misconceptions: What an LDS Is, and What It Is Not

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
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

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.

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