In Kentucky and around the nation, the cost of college attendance has risen steadily over the past two decades, while total undergraduate enrollment has leveled off or declined. Kentucky has taken aggressive measures to limit tuition increases and increase state and institutional aid; nevertheless, increasing college costs may be constricting our…

The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) at the Institute of Education Sciences reviews rigorous research on educational practices, policies, programs, and products with a goal of identifying 'what works' and making that information accessible to the public. One critique of the WWC is the need to more closely examine 'what works' for whom, in which…

In many arenas, the demand for data has outstripped the availability of good data and has increased the tendency to grab for whatever numbers are being circulated in the literature. As a result, when someone says: "This is the best data available," it is essential to remember that "best" does not always mean good. This caution is particularly…

This report describes research undertaken to assess the attitudes of teenagers and those who most influence them--their parents, teachers, and school principals. The research attempted to identify factors that could increase or diminish the likelihood teenagers would use cigarettes, alcohol, or illegal drugs. Parents were identified as the key to…

This report examines the use of computers and the Internet by American children enrolled in nursery school and students in kindergarten through grade 12. The report examines the overall rate of use (that is, the percentage of individuals in the population who are users), the ways in which students use the technologies, where the use occurs (home,…

Up-to-date state information on the characteristics and population size of children of immigrants is essential for planning and implementing educational, health, housing, labor, and other social programs that affect children, their families, and other residents. This brief, a companion to the Urban Institute's new interactive Children of…

One of the consistent findings of educational research studies is the effect of the students' family socio-economic background on their learning achievement. Consequently, international comparative studies emphasis the role of socio-economic background for determining learning outcomes. In particular, PISA results have been used to describe how…

Educational developments in the Middle East are analyzed in terms of the relationship between educational systems and developmental goals, especially manpower. Accompanying commentaries by Orin D. Parker and Joy W. Viola contend that educational quality has been sacrificed for quantity and that judgment of the system must be made within a cultural…

Recent research shows that U.S. 15-year-olds are behind their international counterparts in problem solving and mathematics literacy, ranking 24th of 29 nations (Lemke et al. 2004). Therefore, a key concern among policymakers and educators is improving the quantitative and analytical skills of American youth, who face job prospects in an economy…

Among the most influential findings from the World Fertility Survey (WFS) were those linking fertility patterns to child survival, in particular the findings concerning the high infant and child mortality for children born after a short birth interval. This study examined the relations between fertility and child survival based on more recent data…

The 1980s college enrollment crisis never materialized because demographics are not the sole determinant of enrollment trends. The actual employment and earnings experiences of graduates will heavily influence the economic well-being of most postsecondary institutions. If private investment in postsecondary education remains high, enrollments will…

Public and private schooling have a roughly uniform effect on achievement, but variability among students' home and neighborhood environments mask the leveling effect. Includes an historical discussion of egalitarianism and stratification in American education. (PS)

The relationship between good teaching and student achievement elevates the importance of teacher quality in the eyes of parents, educators, and policymakers. While some teachers may have a special gift to help students learn, good teaching encompasses critical elements, such as knowledge of the learning process, child development, teacher…

Problems in employment and education in Mexico will remain in spite of the rapid economic growth expected from the expanding petroleum industry. The structural problems of the job market and education are analyzed with particular reference to higher education. Commentary by Michael Olivas accompanies this article. (JMF)

Latinos are gaining greater political representation as their numbers grow in certain states. However, Latino groups, from Cuban to Mexican American, may differ greatly in their needs. Latino and non-Latino leaders must work together to reflect each state's unique Latino concerns in fashioning public policies. (Author/BJV)