COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Ohio lawmakers have approved a new policy that will enable the state to track student progress from kindergarten through college.

The change, tucked into a physical education requirements bill passed last week, improves Ohio's application for more federal education stimulus money.

President Barack Obama's administration has dangled $4.4 billion before states if they make changes to their education systems consistent with Obama's goals for reform.

Ohio would be eligible to receive up to $400 million of the funds. But it's competing with other states also making changes, and only some - perhaps 10 to 20 - will get the funds.

Ohio's change connects student data through high school with data from college, which will help the state evaluate how well students are prepared.