Higher education is a key driver of economic mobility and future growth in California. Yet there is much unknown about how students advance from K-12 schools to postsecondary education and into the workforce--and where they falter. This lack of knowledge stems from the fragmented nature of California's education data and inhibits informed decision making among policymakers and educational leaders. This report reviews existing research to examine the shortcomings of the status quo, identify the benefits of a statewide longitudinal data system, and outline steps to make a new system as effective as possible. The authors recommend the following: (1) California should develop a statewide longitudinal database that can track students across educational institutions and into the workforce; (2) Multiple stakeholders should help determine the structure of the data system; (3) A system designed for growth would benefit California in the future; and (4) Other states can serve as models on governance, privacy, and security issues. Promoting student success and institutional effectiveness in California ultimately requires a better understanding of how prior educational experiences affect students' subsequent academic achievement, work, and earnings. The time is ripe to develop an integrated data system that will help California students thrive in their academic career and beyond. [Research support for this report was provided by Courtney Lee.]