New system to track student data from preschool to career

More than 15 years ago, Pennsylvania students taking state tests didn’t even have to put their names on them.

Now the state is in the midst of developing a sophisticated data system that will track students from preschool to elementary and secondary education to postsecondary education to the work force.

The U.S. Department of Education announced Friday it will contribute $14.3 million to help pay for the design and implementation in Pennsylvania of a statewide longitudinal data system. Pennsylvania is among 20 states sharing $250 million in economic stimulus money for statewide longitudinal data systems.

All states developing the systems still will have to comply with federal privacy laws as well as any applicable privacy laws within their own states.

“We are thrilled that we are building a data system that connects both early childhood and higher education to our K-12 system,” said Thomas Gluck, acting state education secretary.