Leveraging ARRA Funding for Developing Comprehensive State Longitudinal Data Systems

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides several funding opportunities that can assist states in designing, developing, and implementing statewide education longitudinal data systems. These new and enhanced information systems will enable states to track student progress within and across the secondary and postsecondary education sectors and to link individuals' educational investments with their employment and other post-program outcomes. This brief offers a vision of what these state systems can offer and a set of promising projects that states may wish to consider in responding to ARRA funding opportunities and setting priorities for developing the state longitudinal data systems