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America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, 2009

Education Figures

Indicator ED1: Percentage of children ages 3–5 who were read to every day in the last week by a family member by mother's education, selected years 1993–2007
Percentage of children ages 3–5 who were read to every day in the last week by a family member by mother's education, selected years 1993–2007

NOTE: Data are available for 1993, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2005, and 2007. Estimates are based on children ages 3–5 who have yet to enter kindergarten.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Household Education Surveys Program.

Indicator ED2.A: Average mathematics scale scores for students in grades 4, 8, and 12, selected years 1990–2007
Average mathematics scale scores for students in grades 4, 8, and 12, selected years 1990–2007

NOTE: Data are available for 1990, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2005, and 2007, although the 2003 and 2007 assessments only included grades 4 and 8. The 2005 assessment included a 12th-grade component, but the National Assessment Governing Board introduced changes in the 2005 NAEP mathematics framework for grade 12 in both the assessment content and administration procedures. As a result, the 12th-grade assessment results cannot be compared with those of previous assessments. In early years of the assessment, testing accommodations (e.g., extended time, small group testing) for children with disabilities and limited-English-proficient students were not permitted. In 1996, scores are shown for both the assessments with and without accommodations to show comparability across the assessments.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress.

Indicator ED2.B: Average reading scale scores for students in grades 4, 8, and 12, selected years 1992–2007
Average reading scale scores for students in grades 4, 8, and 12, selected years 1992–2007

NOTE: Data are available for 1992, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2007, although the 2000 assessment only included grade 4, and the 2003 and 2007 assessments only included grades 4 and 8. In early years of the assessment, testing accommodations (e.g., extended time, small group testing) for children with disabilities and limited-English-proficient students were not permitted. In 1998, scores are shown for both the assessments with and without accommodations to show comparability across the assessments.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress.

Indicator ED3: Percentage of high school graduates who had completed advanced coursework in mathematics, science, English, and foreign language, selected years 1982–2005
Percentage of high school graduates who had completed advanced coursework in mathematics, science, English, and foreign language, selected years 1982–2005

NOTE: Data for 1982 and 1992 are from a series of longitudinal studies, whereas data for 1987, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2000, and 2005 are from the National Assessment of Educational Progress High School Transcript Studies. Due to differences in survey methodology among the data collections, users should use caution when comparing data across the years. Advanced coursework includes the following: mathematics: courses above Algebra II; science: chemistry, physics, or advanced biology; English: some courses at the honors level; and foreign language: a year 3, year 4, or advanced placement course.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, High School Transcript Studies: High School and Beyond Study, National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988, and National Assessment of Educational Progress Transcript Study.

Indicator ED4: Percentage of young adults ages 18–24 who have completed high school by race and Hispanic origin, 1980–2007
Percentage of young adults ages 18–24 who have completed high school by race and Hispanic origin, 1980–2007

NOTE: Percentages are based only on those not currently enrolled in high school or below. Prior to 1992, this indicator was measured as completing 4 or more years of high school rather than the actual attainment of a high school diploma or equivalent. For data before 2003, the 1977 OMB Standards for Data on Race and Ethnicity were used to classify persons into one of the following four racial groups: White, Black, American Indian or Alaskan Native, or Asian or Pacific Islander. The revised 1997 OMB standards were used for data for 2003 and later years. Persons could select one or more of five racial groups: White, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, or Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. Those reporting more than one race were classified as "Two or more races." For continuity purposes, respondents who reported being Asian or Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander were combined. Beginning in 2003, those in each racial category represent those reporting only one race. Data from 2003 onward are not directly comparable with data from earlier years. Data on race and Hispanic origin are collected separately. Persons of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, School Enrollment Supplement.

Indicator ED5: Percentage of youth ages 16–19 who are neither enrolled in school nor working by gender and race and Hispanic origin, 1985–2008
Percentage of youth ages 16–19 who are neither enrolled in school nor working by gender and race and Hispanic origin, 1985–2008

NOTE: The information relates to the labor force and enrollment status of persons 16–19 years old in the civilian noninstitutionalized population during an "average" week of the school year. School refers to both high school and college. For data before 2003, the 1977 OMB Standards for Data on Race and Ethnicity were used to classify persons into one of the following four racial groups: White, Black, American Indian or Alaskan Native, or Asian or Pacific Islander. The revised 1997 OMB standards were used for data for 2003 and later years. Persons could select one or more of five racial groups: White, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, or Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. Included in the total but not shown separately are American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and "Two or more races." Beginning in 2003, those in each racial category represent those reporting only one race. Data from 2003 onward are not directly comparable with data from earlier years. Data on race and Hispanic origin are collected separately. Persons of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey.

Indicator ED6: Percentage of high school completers who were enrolled in college the October immediately after completing high school by race and Hispanic origin, 1980–2007
Percentage of  high school completers who were enrolled in college the October immediately after completing high school by race and Hispanic origin, 1980–2007

NOTE: Enrollment in college as of October of each year for individuals ages 16 to 24 who completed high school during the preceding 12 months. High school completion includes GED recipients. A 3-year moving average is the average of the estimates for the year prior to the reported year, the reported year, and the following year. Thus a moving average cannot be calculated for the most recent year. For data before 2003, the 1977 OMB Standards for Data on Race and Ethnicity were used to classify persons into one of the following four racial groups: White, Black, American Indian or Alaskan Native, or Asian or Pacific Islander. The revised 1997 OMB standards were used for data for 2003 and later years. Persons could select one or more of five racial groups: White, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, or Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. Included in the total but not shown separately are American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and "Two or more races." Beginning in 2003, those in each racial category represent those reporting only one race. Data from 2003 onward are not directly comparable with data from earlier years. Data on race and Hispanic origin are collected separately. Persons of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, School Enrollment Supplement.