The Common Data Set (CDS) is a set of standards and definitions of data items widely agreed upon by the higher education community. It started with the Common Data Set Initiative, a collaboration among the data providers of secondary and post-secondary higher education institutions and data publishers with the goal to 鈥渋mprove the quality and accuracy of information provided to all involved in a student鈥檚 transition into higher education鈥 Though the standards and definition of CDS are solidly established, there have been some changes over the years based on the needs of and feedback from the participating organizations and new changes are expected in the future. To learn more about the CDS initiative, please visit: .