There is an increasing focus at the state and federal levels on linking data across the P-20/Workforce spectrum to help inform policies and practices. This primer is intended to provide policymakers with: (1) An overview of the status of states vis-a-vis the linking of postsecondary data to K-12 and workforce data; (2) A subset of questions policymakers can begin to address through the linking of appropriate K-12, postsecondary, and workforce data elements; (3) Examples of the barriers that limit states ability to link education data across the P20/Workforce spectrum; and (4) Suggested next steps.