(A) The General Assembly recognizes the importance of having a state longitudinal data system to inform policy and fiscal decisions related to early childhood education, public education, postsecondary preparedness and success, and workforce development.

(B)(1) The Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office, working with the Office of First Steps to School Readiness, the South Carolina Department of Education, the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, the Department of Social Services, the South Carolina Technical College System, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Employment and Workforce, and other state agencies or institutions of higher education, shall develop, implement, and maintain a universal identification system that includes, at a minimum, the following information for measuring the continuous improvement of the state public education system and the college and career readiness and success of its graduates:

(a) students graduating from public high schools in the State who enter postsecondary education without the need for remediation;

(b) working-aged adults in South Carolina by county who possess a postsecondary degree or industry credential;

(c) high school graduates who are gainfully employed in the State within five and ten years of graduating from high school; and

(d) outcome data regarding student achievement and student growth that will assist colleges of education in achieving accreditation and in improving the quality of teachers in classrooms.

(2) All information disseminated will conform to state and federal privacy laws.

HISTORY: 2017 Act No. 94 (H.3969), Section 2, eff June 10, 2017.