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Fast FactsHistorical reports
Question:
Where may I find information on archived versions of older NCES publications?
Response:
Since 1870, the federal government has collected statistics on the condition and progress of American education. In the beginning, data were collected on basic items, such as public elementary and secondary school enrollment, attendance, teachers and their salaries, high school graduates, and expenditures. Over the years, the level of detail has gradually increased. By looking at changes in the data over time—for instance, number of schools, participation rates, completion rates, and expenditures—we see how our nation has progressed.
Below is a list that contains the titles of and links to key publications from NCES and predecessor agencies that are archived on the National Library of Education, Hathi Trust, and Educational Research Information Center (ERIC) sites.
Digest of Education Statistics
Initiated in 1962, the Digest’s purpose is to provide a compilation of statistical information covering the broad field of education from prekindergarten through graduate school. The Digest contains data on a variety of topics, including the number of schools and colleges, teachers, enrollments, and graduates, in addition to educational attainment, finances, and federal funds for education, libraries, and international comparisons.
To view versions of the Digest from 1990 to the present, please visit this page: https://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/getpubcats.asp?sid=091.
The Condition of Education
The Condition of Education is a congressionally mandated report that is provided to Congress each year. It features key indicators on the condition of education in the United States at all levels, from prekindergarten through postsecondary, as well as labor force outcomes and international comparisons. The indicators summarize important developments and trends using the latest statistics, which are updated throughout the year as new data become available. In addition, The Condition has Spotlight indicators that provide more in-depth analyses on selected topics.
To view The Condition of Education reports from 1992 to the present, please visit this site.
The Annual Report of the Commissioner of Education
From 1867 through 1917, the statistics collected by the Office of Education appeared in the Annual Report of the Commissioner of Education. These large, hardbound volumes contained not only results from statistical surveys compiled through administrative record collections, but also text reports from the states and current education research essays.
† Not applicable.
Biennial Survey of Education in the United States
The Biennial Survey of Education in the United States usually contained chapters on state school systems, city school systems, and institutions of higher education, as well as a summary chapter covering all levels of education. Additional chapters periodically covered such topics as offerings and enrollments in high school subjects, statistics of public secondary schools, special education for children with disabilities, private elementary and secondary school statistics, and library statistics.
Statistics of State School Systems
These reports present comprehensive statistics on the organization, staff, pupils, and finances of the regular full-time public elementary and secondary day schools in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the outlying areas of the United States. For example, tables provide data on a state-by-state basis on the number of school systems, the school age population, enrollment, average daily attendance, high school graduates, instructional staff, and the school lunch program. In addition, national enrollment figures are given for the following types of schools: (1) federally operated schools on Federal installations; (2) federal schools for Native Americans; and (3) residential schools for exceptional children.
| Statistics of State School Systems (1957–58 to 1975–76) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Link | Source |
| 1957–58 | https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED622629 | ERIC |
| 1961–62 | https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED622259 | ERIC |
| 1963–64 | https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED622260 | ERIC |
| 1965–66 | https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED622264 | ERIC |
| 1967–68 | https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED622265 | ERIC |
| 1969–70 | https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED085835 | ERIC |
| 1971–72 | https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED133832 | ERIC |
| 1973–74 | https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED145569 | ERIC |
| 1975–76 | https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED622261 | ERIC |
Other Resources: (Listed by Release Date)
- 2022, A Retrospective Look at U.S. Education Statistics
- 2019, Fast Fact: Ordering NCES publications and products
- 2018, Federal Education Data Collection: Celebrating 150 Years
- 1960, Publications of the Office of Education, 1937–1959: This resource features a publications index in several categories including annual reports, biennial surveys, periodicals, vocational division reports, bulletins, and other related resources.
- 1940, Publications of the Bureau of Education, 1867–1910: An index of publications released by the Bureau of Education in several categories, including annual reports, circulars, and bulletins.
- 1937, Publications of the Office of Education, 1910–1936: A complete index of the publications released by the Office of Education and the Federal Board for Vocational Education, including publications such as annual reports, surveys, and manuals.
