This document discusses the relationships between Common Education Data Standards (CEDS), Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS), and EDFacts. CEDS provides common data definitions and structures that align with EDFacts reporting requirements and can help states design SLDS that generate required EDFacts data. The document outlines how CEDS connects these initiatives and how states, districts, and the Department of Education can leverage CEDS for data-informed decision making and reduced reporting burden.

1. Common Education Data Standards
(CEDS), Statewide Longitudinal Data
Systems and EDFacts
Ross Santy, Director – EDFacts
U.S. Department of Education
AEP Content in Context Conference
Metadata Lab, June 4, 2012

2. What is EDFacts?
 U.S. Department of Education (USED) initiative to
consolidate and streamline the collection of preK-12
demographic, performance and outcome data.
 Core mission is to provide a comprehensive set of data
that is fit for use by USED program offices, NCES and the
public.
 Related goal to Improve USED-wide governance of its
asset of prek-12 performance data
CEDS, SLDS and EDFacts 06/04/2012

3. What is an SLDS?
 Statewide Longitudinal Data System
 Grant program at ED (within NCES) since 2005
 41 states and the District of Columbia have received a grant
 Systems are intended to
 enhance the ability of States to efficiently and accurately
manage, analyze, and use education data, including individual
student records
 help states, districts, schools, educators, and other stakeholders
to make data-informed decisions
 improve student learning and outcomes
 facilitate research to increase student achievement and close
achievement gaps.
CEDS, SLDS and EDFacts 06/04/2012

4. CEDS: ‘connecting’ SLDS and EDFacts
 CEDS Version 1.0:
 Not developed with a focus on federal reporting
 CEDS elements leveraged EDFacts definitions and data
structures where appropriate
 If an aggregate statistic had a category set with specific
permitted values defined in EDFacts, those values were
considered when defining the CEDS element
 CEDS Version 2.0
 Explicit goal to ensure that all elements required for federal
reporting were included
 Work between EDFacts and CEDS teams to ensure alignment
of data structures and coverage of EDFacts data groups.
CEDS, SLDS and EDFacts 06/04/2012

5. CEDS/SLDS/EDFacts Connection Examples
 An element needed for many reasons
CEDS, SLDS and EDFacts 06/04/2012

6. CEDS/SLDS/EDFacts Connection Examples
 An element added for EDFacts
CEDS, SLDS and EDFacts 06/04/2012

7. CEDS/SLDS/EDFacts Connection Examples
 An element probably not in an SLDS
CEDS, SLDS and EDFacts 06/04/2012

8. How is CEDS not connected with EDFacts?
 CEDS is not an implementation
 No tools have been developed under CEDS to store data at
the unit record or aggregate level
 CEDS defines data elements and data structures.
 CEDS does not prescribe a physical implementation for states
or LEAs.
 CEDS is not a data transmission technology
 CEDS does not provide standards for the aggregation or
transmission of data from LEA to SEA systems, or from SEA to
USED systems
 SEA staff still need to build and submit files of aggregate data
to EDFacts
CEDS, SLDS and EDFacts 06/04/2012

9. Getting from CEDS to EDFacts
 CEDS Elements  EDFacts Data Groups
 Student Membership
 By Grade, by Sex, by
Race/Ethnicity
 IDEA Child Count
 By Disability, by Educational
Environment
 Migrant Education Program
 Student descriptors Student Count
 School/LEA enrollment
 Classroom/course descriptors
CEDS, SLDS and EDFacts 06/04/2012

10. Implications of CEDS v2.0 for EDFacts
 Mapping for every data group
 CEDS provides a common framework for discussing the
specific unit record elements which would be necessary for an
SLDS to adequately serve as a source system for EDFacts
reporting.
 Initial mapping associates CEDS elements with one or more
EDFacts data groups
 Example: Student Membership depends upon the presence of (at
least) the following CEDS elements:
 Enrollment Status
 Sex
 American Indian or Alaska Native
 Asian….
CEDS, SLDS and EDFacts 06/04/2012

11. Mapping Elements vs. Defining Indicators
 ED has mapped CEDS v2.0 elements to EDFacts data
 Which CEDS elements would be necessary within the SLDS to
address EDFacts reporting needs?
 The definitions and structures of CEDS can be used to outline
what would be necessary within a data system in order for it
to serve as a source system and meet EDFacts reporting needs.
 ED has NOT defined the EDFacts data groups as
indicators within the CEDS structures
 CEDS v2.0 does not provide states or local school districts
with aggregation routines or formulas for calculating an
EDFacts data group.
 The exact process used by SEAs to leverage the specific CEDS
elements mapped to an EDFacts data group is still subject to
state specific flexibility.
CEDS, SLDS and EDFacts 06/04/2012

12. Ways LEAs and SEAs can use CEDS
 Consistent definition and structure of data elements
being used within and among states on individual student
level data
 Verification that unit level data elements needed for
generating reporting requirements are within SLDS
 Provides a structure for consistent conversations about
how CEDS elements are used to generate statistics
 Enables objective analysis of how multiple SEAs are
building the data files needed for federal reporting
CEDS, SLDS and EDFacts 06/04/2012

13. Ways ED program offices can use CEDS
 Enables more detailed guidance on specific data groups
and file specifications
 Promotes detailed conversation about what elements are
already implemented within state systems
 Seeks to reduce reporting burden by leveraging existing
state data capabilities before defining new data groups
within EDFacts
CEDS, SLDS and EDFacts 06/04/2012

14. Next Steps within USED
 Use CEDS to manage a better process for designing new
reporting elements within EDFacts
 Improve USED program office understanding of what data are
and are not available within state systems
 Design the reporting requirement from the CEDS element
definitions
 Clarify documentation within future OMB clearance
packages for EDFacts
 Explicit acknowledgement of when a new reporting
requirement would depend upon a new CEDS element
CEDS, SLDS and EDFacts 06/04/2012