The state is slated to receive $7.3 million in Recovery Act funds to expand its system for collecting data on students.

Maine is slated to receive $7.3 million in Recovery Act funds to expand a data collection system on students that's aimed at guiding the state's education policy.

That's according to Maine 2nd District Congressman Mike Michaud, who says the money will be used to expand the range of data being collected to include early childhood programs, teacher effectiveness data, adult education and links to postsecondary and workforce data.

"This investment will allow our state to improve our education system by ensuring that policies reflect the most accurate data and analysis possible," Michaud says in a statement.

Maine's student data-collection system was established in 2007, with the help of a three-year grant.