Summarizes important education news in six sections, highlighting "main events" (from politics to privatization); (unfavorable) international comparisons of mathematics and science proficiency, reading literacy, and computer usage; common measures documenting kids' rising distress levels; school leaders' demographics and prime worries; rising…

A new calculation and reporting method designed to improve accuracy in arriving at dropout figures was tested last year by 288 school systems. The study, called the Dropout Statistics Field Test, is sponsored by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). (MLF)

Describes four aspects of computer technology in education in the United States: (1) the number of computers available to students and teachers; (2) where the computers are located and how they are used; (3) the impact of computer use; and (4) hypotheses concerning nonuse, limited use, and inappropriate use. (Contains 13 references.) (LRW)

Discusses the greater need for education data brought about by the renewed emphasis on accountability in public education. "Projections of Education Statistics" features the kinds of information planners and policymakers will need for the future. Discusses shared responsibility for and benefits from high quality data at state and national levels.…

Provides current-year estimates of key statistics for public elementary and secondary schools based on survey data from late 1999. At that time, there were approximately 46.8 million students in prekindergarten through grade 12 in U.S. public schools, taught by an estimated 2.9 million teachers. Estimates expenditures for public elementary and…

Examined the education indicators used in the "Quality Counts" report published by Editorial Projects in Education in 1998. Discusses the degree to which persuasive or normative uses stemmed from the value judgments being made on the basis of the indicator data. (SLD)

A study by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) found that in 2003, the number of students being homeschooled was about 1.1 million. That's a whopping 29 percent increase from 1999, when the department first collected information on the subject. In this article, the author shares her experience being a…

Using data from national surveys of teachers and school districts, this brief provides the first national estimates of the prevalence of K-12 teachers' access to and use of electronic student data management systems. Specifically, the brief seeks to determine how broadly student data systems are being implemented in districts and schools; the…

This edition of Higher education in facts and figures focusses on Research and innovation. Research and innovation are crucial to the future of the UK's competitiveness. Universities are the prime drivers for this, both through producing, and acting as a magnet for, the best knowledge and talent. The UK's research performance is exceptionally…

Using detailed administrative data for the public K-12 schools of North Carolina, we measure racial segregation in its public schools. With data for the 2005-2006 school year, we update previously published calculations that measure segregation by unevenness in racial enrollment patterns, both between schools and within schools. We find that…

Since 1990, the Utah State Legislature (in House Bill 170) has required that all Utah School Districts submit an annual performance report to the State Board of Education and the Legislature by January 15th of each year. This document serves as a guide in compiling information, designing, and publishing school district performance reports.…

Course offerings and enrollments of students in public secondary schools for the 1972-73 period were discussed. (RK)

The public has a right to expect economy, efficiency, and ultimate reduction in all governmental spending; however, educators are cautioned about those persons using educational statistics as a basis only for reducing school funding. (Author/MLF)

This is one of a series of annual reports which describe standardized test performance of elementary school pupils in the Houston Independent School District (HISD). Tests reported include the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) and the Texas Educational Assessment of Minimum Skills (TEAMS). In addition to achievement scores, this report contains…

This document describes standardized test performance of pupils in secondary schools of the Houston Independent School District (HISD). Tests reported include the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) and the Texas Educational Assessment of Minimum Skills (TEAMS). In addition to achievement scores, this report contains information about the students,…