Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A state budget analyst says Idaho could bank hefty savings from a new system designed to collect and monitor student test scores, attendance and other data from the time they enroll in kindergarten. Paul Headlee, an Idaho Legislature budget analyst who covers public education, says Arkansas realized savings of $15 million after its newly installed longitudinal data system found the state had over-counted students by 2,200. Headlee told lawmakers Monday that there is potential for Idaho to realize some savings as well. Idaho is among few states without a longitudinal data system to better track and count students. The state has put more than $2.5 million toward the creation of a student data system since March 2008. Headlee said the state applied for, but did not win, a $20 million federal grant to finish building the system. During the upcoming legislative session, public schools chief Tom Luna plans to request $926,000 in ongoing state funds for the program, along with $43,000 in one-time funds to purchase equipment.