North Carolina Longitudinal Data Service

What is NCLDS?

The North Carolina Longitudinal Data Service (NCLDS) provides secure, privacy-protected access to data linked across time and data sources to help North Carolina address its most pressing questions via data-informed decision-making, continuous improvement, and performance management processes.

NCLDS is:

  • A data exchange and research strategic partnership of data-contributing state agencies and organizations;
  • A data connector, not a data holder—NCLDS is a process for linking, de-identifying, and packaging data from two or more data-holders;
  • A tool for securely delivering those data to partners, other state entities, researchers, and practitioners for research, evaluation, decision-making, and reporting; and
  • A common space for coordinating cross-sector, longitudinal learning goals for NC.

Progress Toward Full Implementation

NCLDS has entered a Pre-Launch Test Phase (Soft Open) and is targeting 2025 for Public Launch (Full Open).

Implementation StrandPhase 1 (Completed): Raise Awareness & Prepare DataPhase 2 (Completed): Set Goals & Review/Revise ProcessesPhase 3 (SOFT OPEN - In Progress): Review/Revise Architecture & AccessPhase 4 (FULL OPEN - 2025): Operationalize the Learning Goals
Governance
  • Board
  • Committees
  • Sub-Committees
  • Workgroups
  • Learning Goals
  • Data request, proposal review, and external partner vetting guidelines
  • Publication/Reporting Standards
  • Record Exclusion Guidelines
  • Development and Execution of Learning Goals-Aligned Projects
Operation
  • Cross-Sector Matching
  • Use Case Management
  • Data Request Process
  • Proposal Review Process
  • Data Selector (beta)
  • Data Selector
  • Secure Data Exchange for External Partners
 
Products
  • On-Demand Datasets (beta)
  • Enhanced data exchange process for Contributing Partners
  • Practitioner Portals (beta)
  • Research-Ready Datasets (beta)
  • Practitioner Portals
  • On-Demand & Research-Ready Datasets
  • Aggregated Datasets
  • Publicly-Available Reports, Dashbaords, etc.