Several research papers have assessed the long-term benefits of pre-primary education in terms of academic performance and labor market outcomes. This study analyzes data obtained from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) to estimate the effects of preschool enrollment of Thai students on producing long-term benefits in their…

This paper extends the current literature on access to post-secondary education by investigating the role played by various family background characteristics related to the home environment and family habits and behaviours. Exploiting the extraordinary richness of the Youth in Transition Survey in this regard, we include whether the family ate…

Researchers and policymakers argue that expanding college access is one way to increase opportunities for students who would become the first in their families to enroll in a postsecondary institution. This article uses measures of educational attainment in the previous two generations to consider whether parents' own histories of educational…

This article describes the grim sentiments from the U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, when reviewing the poor results from the U.S. performance on the 2012 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA). He noted a straightforward and stark picture of educational stagnation--that fifteen-year-olds in the U.S. today are average in…

Propensity score estimation plays a fundamental role in propensity score matching for reducing group selection bias in observational data. To increase the accuracy of propensity score estimation, the author developed a bootstrap propensity score. The commonly used propensity score matching methods: nearest neighbor matching, caliper matching, and…

This article seeks to make sense of the seeming contradiction that the number of degrees awarded annually and the attainment rate of the adult population in the US have both grown, even as the country has fallen behind many global competitors on the latter indicator. Two reports issued in 2012---one by the Pew Research Center, the other by the…

Each year, "Diverse: Issues In Higher Education" publishes lists of the Top 100 producers of associate, bachelor's, and graduate degrees awarded to minority students based on research conducted by Dr. Victor M. H. Borden, professor of educational leadership and policy studies at Indiana University Bloomington. This article presents a…

A foundation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education is critical for students' college and career advancement, but many U.S. students fail to take advanced mathematics and science classes in high school. Research has neglected the potential role of parents in enhancing students' motivation for pursuing STEM courses.…

According to "Training" magazine's annual Salary Survey of 867 readers, training salaries took a big hit in 2009-2010, plunging an average of $2,334. The average increase in salary in the last 12 months (not including a promotion or change of employer) continued to nosedive, coming in at 2.43 percent in 2009-2010 vs. 3.08 the year before.…

New data from the Current Population Survey were used to reclassify occupations by level of education and training required. The following categories resulted: first professional degree; doctorate; master's; work experience plus bachelor's; associate's degree; postsecondary vocational training; work experience; and short-term, moderate, or…

Argues that although the school enrollment ratio among countries is an available statistic, it may not be the most important indicator for setting investment priorities in education. Offers statistics on the educational composition of the labor force as a more sensitive human capital index. (JOW)

Sketches the demographic and occupational characteristics of the 1.7 million military personnel stationed in the United States, and compares the data with those of civilian workers. (SK)

Comparison of National Longitudinal Survey of Youth data from 1979 and 1997 found that both groups had similar rates of employment as adolescents. Students who worked 20 or fewer hours per week during school were more likely to attend college; youths who worked a greater percentage of weeks during the school year worked more consistently as…

Analysis of educational levels and earnings associated with specific occupations supported seemingly conflicting explanations of inequality: (1) the job competition theory that education has no effect on equalization of earnings; and (2) the free market theory suggesting an effect of educational level on earnings and of unequal education on…

Details employment by occupation in 1994 and projected for 2005. Suggests that the economy is expected to continue generating jobs for all levels of education and training, but growth will be greater for occupations requiring a bachelor's degree or more. (SK)