The Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS) Grant Program, as authorized by the Educational Technical Assistance Act of 2002, Title II of the statute that created the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), is designed to aid state education agencies in developing and implementing longitudinal data systems. These systems are intended to enhance the ability of States to efficiently and accurately manage, analyze, and use education data, including individual student records. The data systems developed with funds from these grants should help States, districts, schools, and teachers make data-driven decisions to improve student learning, as well as facilitate research to increase student achievement and close achievement gaps.
These competitive, cooperative agreement grants extend for three years and range from one and a half to six million dollars per state. Grantees are obligated to submit annual reports and a final report on the development and implementation of their systems. All 50 States, five territories, and the District of Columbia are eligible to apply. In November of 2005, the first year of the grant program, IES awarded grants to 14 States. In June of 2007, IES awarded grants to an additional 13 States.
Lessons learned and non-propriety products/solutions developed by recipients of these grants will be disseminated to aid other State and local education agencies in the design, development, implementation, and use of longitudinal data systems.