Examines pitfalls in analyzing school-level data, particularly expenditure data. Examples come from Ohio's experience with creating usable data structures for examining school-level information, aided by a statewide, complex, multipurpose Education Management Information System (EMIS). Since districts can choose different reporting software…

Describes school-level K-12 revenue and expenditure data collection in California, Texas, Florida, and Minnesota. Neither California nor Minnesota collects school-site fiscal data. Florida's highly advanced district and school-level data collection system has inconsistently reported standardized test scores. Texas has developed a good database to…

To make effective long-term plans, school districts need enrollment projections obtained from objective census-style data and the more subjective information available through interviews with local decision-makers. (MLF)

A research psychologist and education consultant offers school board members some principles for appraising statistics: (1) distinguish between rates and numbers; (2) distinguish between ranks and scores; (3) try to "look through" the pictorial representation of data; (4) double check the data for accuracy; and (5) consider the source of the data.…

Included in this publication are the enrollment data supplied to the North Dakota University System (NDUS) by North Dakota institutions of postsecondary education. This paper contains the following sections: (1) Definitions; and (2) Institutional Abbreviations. Statistical data are presented in the following 17 tables: (1) Headcount Enrollment;…

In a more consistent and viable manner than ever before, education in Alabama is moving toward its ultimate goal of providing every student with a quality education, thereby preparing them for work, college, and life after high school. Alabama's graduation rates from 2002 to 2008 increased significantly, tripling the national average increase and…

This paper examines the impact of vouchers in general and voucher design in particular on public school performance. It argues that all voucher programs are not created equal. There are often fundamental differences in voucher designs that affect public school incentives differently and induce different responses from them. It analyzes two voucher…

There are fierce debates over the best way to prepare teachers. Some argue that easing entry into teaching is necessary to attract strong candidates, while others argue that investing in high quality teacher preparation is the most promising approach. Most agree, however, that we lack a strong research basis for understanding how to prepare…

In this paper, the author discusses the role of methodology in assessing the effects of teacher qualifications on teacher effectiveness (also commonly referred to as the "quality of teaching"). The author focuses on some of the statistical problems that can arise in a non-experimental setting and the ways in which statisticians attempt…

This document presents statistics about the higher education in Maryland for 2010. The tables in this document are presented according to the following categories: (1) Students; (2) Retention and Graduation; (3) Degrees; (4) Faculty; (5) Revenues and Expenditures; (6) Tuition and Fees; (7) Financial Aid; (8) Private Career Schools; and (9)…

An important aspect of students' access to education is the amount of time actually spent in the classroom. This brief highlights data on the student absentee rate for 1990-91. The data were extracted from "The Condition of Education, 1995," U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Educational Statistics. Findings indicate that…

Four data tables illustrate how school enrollment in the United States in 1990-91 compares with that of 1991-92. The first table lists, alphabetically by each state, public school enrollments for the 1990-91 and 1991-92 school years, along with the variance between the two years and the percentage of variance. The total enrollment for 1990-91 was…

A small sample of the 60 indicators contained in the "Condition of Education, 1992" are provided in this brief booklet. Ordering information to receive the complete 421-page book is listed along with the following tables: (1) High school completion rate for 19- to 20-year-olds; (2) student drug and alcohol use; (3) immediate transition…

Public education in the United States is a joint enterprise of federal, state, and local government. This report presents public school data from the 50 states and the District of Colombia in order to show the extent to which national, state, and local governments commit resources to education. The data cover three general areas: (1) public school…

Public education in the United States is a joint enterprise of federal, state, and local government. This report presents public school data from the 50 states and the District of Colombia in order to show the extent to which national, state, and local governments commit resources to education. The data cover three general areas: (1) public school…