Who Produces Statistics
These agencies have the power to standardize reporting and collect information from a wide variety of institutions. This power is often mandated by law.
Research Organizations
Research organizations often have a specific focus, and will produce surveys and publish results. Many are non-profit, and will release their findings to the public for free.
Voluntary surveys of members are often produced by professional organizations. These surveys often cover topics related to compensation, education, work duties, and other professional matters. Results may be available to everyone, or just members.
Individual Researchers
A typical scholar lacks the ability to produce statistics on a scale similar to that of the government or a major research organization. Scholars often produce quantitative studies that collect data from smaller cohorts or groups.
U.S. Government Statistics
- National Center for Education StatisticsCovers a variety of statistics for K-12 schools, libraries, and higher education.
- IPEDS - Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemFind statistics for institutions of higher education.
- Digest of Education StatisticsYearly compilation of education statistics from pre-kindergarten through graduate school. Much of the data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics.
- U. S. Department of EducationHome page for the U. S. Department of Education.
- Nation's Report CardThe National Assessment of Educational Progress provides information about students' knowledge and abilities in specific subject areas.
- Condition of EducationCongressionally mandated yearly report on the state of education.
- National Household Education SurveyThis survey covers learning from childhood through adulthood.
- Early Childhood Longitudinal StudyFollows three cohorts of children through their education. The study provides data from birth through eighth grade.
- Common Core of DataCollection of financial and non-financial data from public schools in the United States.
- Education Finance Statistics CenterContains financial data for public elementary and secondary schools.
- Statistical Abstracts of the United StatesThe Statistical Abstract is a comprehensive summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic organization of the United States. Sources of data include the Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Bureau of Economic Analysis, and many other Federal agencies and private organizations.
- College InSightProvides information about college affordability, diversity, and success using data from the Dept. of Education and Peterson's Common Data Set.
International and Foreign Government Statistics
- Statistics Canada - EducationCollects a variety of educational statistics for the federal government of Canada.
- World Bank EdStatsProvides data for individual countries, as well as data from international assessments such as PISA or TIMSS.
- UN EducationFind statistics related to the UN's educational programs and development goals.
- OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)Test of educational abilities of 15-year-olds from over 70 countries.
- Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)Assessment of 4th and 8th grade students from more than 60 countries.
Professional Organizations
This is a small list of professional organizations in education. Many other organizations will produce selected statistics.
Explore educational organizations in your specialization to see what research and publications they produce.
- National Education AssociationHighlights specific statistics based on issues and policy positions of the organization.
Datasets
Visit the Office of Research and Doctoral Services's Data Resources and Support page for a listing of secondary data resources for education.