Maryland's early childhood data system includes an assessment of school readiness that is administered to all public school kindergartners. Since 2007, when Maryland established the unique K–12 student identifier, this school readiness information has linked to the K–12 education data system, allowing the longitudinal tracking of child outcomes. The 2010–11 school year will mark the first time Maryland will be able to evaluate longitudinally how readiness at school entry correlates with academic success as measured by 3rd grade test scores. In addition, because information is disaggregated by type of prior care (e.g., Head Start, family child care) and by participation in programs such as special education services, the state can use the longitudinal results to improve state-funded early childhood programs. For more information, see http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/newsroom/publications/ school_readiness.htm.