MS SB2740

Establishes a State Longitudinal Data System (SLDS) effective July 1, 2012, to track education and student outcomes from birth through workforce entry.

Requires seven state agencies to participate and share data: Mississippi Department of Education, State Board for Community and Junior Colleges, Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, State Workforce Investment Board, Mississippi Department of Employment Security, Mississippi Department of Human Services, and State Early Childhood Advisory Council.

Creates an SLDS Governing Board composed of representatives from each participating agency, with the State Workforce Investment Board Chair serving as board chair for the first two years, then elected by board members thereafter.

Authorizes the Governing Board to develop rules, contract with third parties to manage the system, establish privacy and security standards, and identify research questions and reports for stakeholders.

Bases the system on existing infrastructure at Mississippi State University's National Strategic Planning and Analysis Research Center (nSPARC), with the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services providing hosting services.