U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - SOURCES FOR EDUCATION DATA
The U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics and the Institute of Education Sciences are the most common sources for reliable education data at the federal government level. We have placed the most commonly used data bases first and then listed the remaining alphabetically. At the bottom of the list are links to two other sources of education data the Government Accounting Office and the U.S. Bureau of Census.
ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY (includes database and compilation sources)
Common Core of Data (CCD), which annually updates data on public elementary and secondary schools, includes contact information, demographics and fiscal information.
Digest of Education Statistics, like most of these resources a product of the National Center for Education Statistics, is a massive annual compilation of national statistical information about U.S. students and educational institutions from preschool through graduate school. The digest contains some of the most basic indicators -- the number of schools and colleges, students and teachers -- as well as trend data on educational attainment, funding and educational attainment of the labor force.
Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) is the world's largest bibliographic database of education literature. Some of the 1.2 million journal articles and other reports archived in ERIC are available in full online for free, while some must be obtained at a library or for a cost.
National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is a series of tests -- in reading, math, science, writing, arts, civics, economics, geography and U.S. history -- given to a sample of students across the country. The results, known as the Nation's Report Card, are considered a valuable common metric through which to compare progress of all states and the large urban districts that participate. NAEP provides interesting information not just on test scores but also school environment and educational experiences; it does not, however, measure individual schools or students.
School District Demographics System (SDDS) breaks down information about demographics and socioeconomics by school district, based on the most recent decennial census. Data can be compared between districts and years, and a map tool allows visual comparisons.
School Survey on Crime and Safety (SSOCS) has tracked school-level safety data since 2000, using a sample of about 3,000 public schools nationwide.
Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS) maintains public and private school data on characteristics and qualifications of teachers and principals, hiring practices, professional development and more.
America's Charter Schools includes a study of charter school test results in 2003, as well as survey results about charter schools’ practices, structure and governance.
Career/Technical Education Statistics (CTES) reports on the status of career and technical education, including student participation, staff characteristics and adult education.
National Center for Educational Research issues “practice guides” with recommendations for educators on topics such as facilitating study skills and encouraging girls in math and science.
National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE) evaluates the impact of programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education and issues reports on topics such as teacher certification, Reading First and the effectiveness of educational software.
National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) conducts many studies on the condition and education of students with disabilities.
National Household Education Survey (NHES) studies various elements of the education experience of Americans. The most recent topics analyzed, in 2005, are adult education, early childhood education participation and afterschool activities.
No Child Left Behind - This Department of Education website provides state-by-state information on achievement and meeting No Child Left Behind benchmarks.
No Child Left Behind Highly Qualified Teachers archives status reports on teacher preparation programs by state.
Private Schools in America includes student achievement results and a comparison of achievement in public and private schools, when student characteristics such as race and gender are taken into account.
What Works Clearinghouse evaluates popular curricula on their effectiveness and issues reports.
STUDENT CHARACTERISTICS
High School and Beyond is a series of longitudinal studies on cohorts of students as they progressed through early adulthood. Students (and in some cases, their teachers and parents) were asked about their academic life and school experiences, job aspirations, alcohol and drug use, home lives and more.
High School Transcript Study (HSTS) tracks high school graduates’ course choices, grades, credits earned and the relationship between courses taken and NAEP scores.
HIGHER EDUCATION
Baccalaureate and Beyond Longitudinal Study (B&B) tracks the status of Americans shortly after they receive their bachelor’s degrees, particularly those who have pursued teaching careers.
Beginning Postsecondary Students (BPS) collects information about cohorts of students while and after they are in college.
College Navigator is a user-friendly searchable database of IPEDS (see below) data geared toward prospective students.
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System collects information from all U.S. colleges and university on enrollment, costs, finances, faculty and staff, financial aid, graduation rates and more. The many data tools allow users to set up rankings and comparisons between schools.
National Study of Postsecondary Faculty was conducted in response to a continuing need for data on faculty and instructors - persons who directly affect the quality of education in postsecondary institutions.
The National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS) analyzes college and graduate school costs and how Americans pay them.
INTERNATIONAL COMPARISONS
Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) compares 15-year-olds’ performance in reading, math and science across countries.
Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) compares the reading skills and attitudes toward reading of fourth graders in the United States and other countries.
Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) compares the reading and math performance of fourth-grade and eighth-grade students across different countries.
OTHER FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SOURCES FOR EDUCATION DATA
General Accountability Office (GAO) archives reports since 1971, and some older products. GAO researches topics at the request of Congress.
U.S. Department of Census has statistics related to educational attainment, training, school costs, enrollment, school districts and other characteristics crossed by education.
and American Community Survey
Compiled by Mesha Williams, Linda Perlstein and Mike Bowler of the Education Writers Association.
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