The acquisition of early literacy skills prior to school can positively influence later educational outcomes. However, children from culturally and economically disadvantaged backgrounds often lack stimulating educational activities at home. This analysis provides empirical evidence for 31 education systems on the association between parental…

The Wake County Public School System's (WCPSS) retention rate has declined for the fifth year in a row. The vast majority of WCPSS' students are promoted to the next grade level at the end of each school year. In 2011-12, only 3.4% of WCPSS students were retained in grade. While only a small percentage of students are retained each year, this…

The "Science and Engineering Indicators" series was designed to provide a broad base of quantitative information about U.S. science, engineering, and technology for use by policymakers, researchers, and the general public. "Science and Engineering Indicators 2014" contains analyses of key aspects of the scope, quality, and…

How many students in K-12 schools in the United States are studying foreign languages? Are these numbers on the increase or decrease--and in which languages? What do educators, administrators, and researchers need to know about these trends? This publication presents enrollment data in U.S. public schools in two years: 2004-05 and 2007-08,…

New Jersey has a curious status regarding school desegregation. It has had the nation's most venerable and strongest state law prohibiting racially segregated schooling and requiring racial balance in the schools whenever feasible. Yet, it simultaneously has had one of the worst records of racially imbalanced schools. Against the legal and…

In 2011, a study by the Center for American Progress (CAP) found that the demographics of the teacher workforce had not kept up with student demographics and showed that students of color made up more than 40 percent of the school-age population. In contrast, teachers of color were only 17 percent of the teaching force. Since this time, the nation…

Science and Engineering Indicators (SEI) is first and foremost a volume of record comprising the major high-quality quantitative data on the U.S. and international science and engineering enterprise. SEI is factual and policy neutral. It does not offer policy options, and it does not make policy recommendations. SEI employs a variety of…

This document contains a list of appendix tables for the "Science and Engineering Indicators 2012" report. The tables are presented according to these chapters: (1) Elementary and Secondary Mathematics and Science Education; (2) Higher Education in Science and Engineering; (3) Science and Engineering Labor Force; (4) Research and Development:…

Title VII provides funding for the education of American Indian/Alaska Native students based on a formula grant available to school districts, charter schools, and local education agencies (LEAs). This report explores why some eligible schools and districts do not apply for federal Title VII, potentially resulting in American Indian/Alaska Native…

Effective teachers are demonstrably the most important resource schools have for improving the academic success of their students. Yet for many school leaders, recruiting and retaining talented and effective classroom teachers remains an uphill battle. Whether teacher salaries are sufficient to attract the best graduates into teaching remains an…

The United States holds a preeminent position in science and engineering (S&E) in the world, derived in large part from its long history of public and private investment in S&E research and development (R&D) and education. Investment in R&D, science, technology, and education correlate strongly with economic growth, as well the development of a…

Scientists have long recognized the value of having statistical data to measure the scope and vitality of education, research, and workforce development in their fields. Such data support evidence-based policy discussions in professional and governmental forums. Since 1982, the National Science Board has been required by law to publish…

While structural reform has certainly inspired change in Boston's public schools, its true value is best measured by examining the impact those changes have had on students. Seen through the lens of student performance over the past five years there is ample suggestion that these structural changes have been more than just window dressing--they…

Data from 50 states indicating the proportion of students classified in 10 categories of exceptionality were compiled and analyzed. Analysis indicated consistent increases in numbers of learning disabled students, consistent decreases in numbers of speech impaired and mentally retarded students, and relatively constant numbers of emotionally…

This document presents the proceedings of the National Disability Statistics and Policy Forum. Preliminary material includes an introduction (Mitchell P. LaPlante) and highlights of each presentation. Presentations are then grouped by session. Session titles and presenters were: (1) "Trends in Disability Prevalence" (Mitch LaPlante, Vicki…