Longitudinal Data System

Senate Bill 1828 was signed into law as Public Act 096-0107, effective July 30, 2009, as the P-20 Longitudinal Education Data System Act. It is landmark legislation which will allow us to follow students and their performance throughout (and perhaps beyond) their formal school experience. Specifically and in the words of the law—The longitudinal data system established by this Act is intended, among other purposes, to link student test scores, length of enrollment, and graduation records over time. The idea is that by or before June 30, 2013, Illinois will have in place a searchable longitudinal data system with the intent to:

1. Reduce the data collection burden to the maximum extent possible
2. Provide officials with access to their own data, summary reports, and allow for integration with additional data maintained outside their system
3. Link data to instructional management tools
4. Enhance and expand the High School to College Success Report, informing public school officials, educational policymakers, and members of the public about public school students’ performance in postsecondary education
5. Improve access to educational opportunities by linking data to student college and career planning portals, facilitating the electronic submission of transcripts, scholarships and financial aid
6. Establish a public internet web interface that provides non-confidential data reports and permits queries
7. Provide research and reports to the General Assembly to assist in evaluating program effectiveness
8. Establish a system to evaluate teacher and administrator preparation programs
9. Evaluate the relationship between educational programs and outcomes including, but not limited to, employment opportunities, supply and demand, and the state’s geographic employment needs.

As of the effective date, IBHE is authorized to collect and maintain data from public universities and to disclose this data to the longitudinal data system for the purposes set forth in the act. IBHE may also disclose data that it is otherwise authorized to collect.

As of July 1, 2012, the IBHE is authorized to collect and maintain data from non-public colleges and universities enrolling one or more students receiving MAP grant and to disclose this data to the longitudinal data system for the purposes set forth in the act. IBHE may also disclose data that it is otherwise authorized to collect. Prior to July 1, 2012, non-publics may choose to participate by disclosing data to the IBHE or to a consortium that has contracted with the IBHE. How will it work for higher education—some relevant points:

1. The IBHE may contract with one or more voluntary consortiums of non-public institutions established for the purpose of data sharing, research, and analysis. The contract may allow the consortium to collect data from participating institutions on behalf of the IBHE. The contract may provide for consultation with a representative committee of participating institutions prior to the use of data from the consortium for a data sharing arrangement entered into with a party other than a State Education Agency.
2. The contract may provide that individual institutions (private, not public) shall have the right to opt out of specific uses of their data for reasons specified in the contract.
3. There are additional provisions related to the rights of institutions to retain ownership and control of their data within the confines of the consortium agreement and contract with the IBHE.
4. Non-public universities choosing to submit data through a consortium with a contract need not submit data directly to the IBHE

On July 23, 2010 Public Act 096-1249 amended the Illinois Longitudinal Data System Act to include institution of higher learning that confers graduate and professional degrees.

Per Public Act 096-1249, “Beginning on July 1, 2012, the Board of Higher Education is authorized to collect and maintain data from any non-public institution of higher learning enrolling one or more students receiving Monetary Award Program grants and any non-public institution of higher learning that confers graduate and professional degrees”

1. This means that if you are a private or a for-profit institution and have students receiving MAP funds, you are required to submit the required data on all students enrolled in your institution. This includes all of the students, both in-state and out-of-state, enrolled in programs provided at facilities located in Illinois, and all students, both in-state and out-of-state, enrolled in on-line programs provided by your institution.
2. It also means that if you are a private or a for-profit institution operating (physical presence) in Illinois and confer graduate and/or professional degrees to studentsM, you are required to submit the required data on all students enrolled in your institution. This includes all of the students, both in-state and out-of-state, enrolled in programs provided at facilities located in Illinois, and all students, both in-state and out-of-state, enrolled in on-line programs provided by your institution through facilities located in Illinois.
3. Finally, if you are an out-of-state (no physical presence in Illinois) institution approved to offer programs in Illinois, and offer graduate and/or professional degrees in Illinois, you are required to submit the required data on all Illinois students enrolled in IBHE approved programs provided by your institution.