English Coursetaking and the NELS:88 Transcript Data

Title:	English Coursetaking and the NELS:88 Transcript Data
Description:	This working paper describes ongoing efforts to create and test variables measuring students’ high-school coursetaking in English using data from the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 (NELS:88) transcript file. The main goal of this working paper, and a companion working paper, Mathematics, Foreign Language, and Science Coursetaking and the NELS:88 Transcript Data (NCES 2003-01), was to construct measures of coursetaking behavior that extend the historical approach of simply counting credits. Because the level, or the difficulty, of coursework is often ignored in measures of credits completed, the purpose of the research efforts described in these working papers was to create “pipeline” measures that in some fashion capture the breath and depth of students’ coursetaking histories.
Online Availability:	Download, view and print the report as a pdf file. (480KB)
Cover Date:	January 2003
Web Release:	February 20, 2003
Print Release:	This Publication will only be available online.
Publication #:	NCES 200302 General Ordering Information
Center/Program:	NCES
Authors:	David T. Burkam
Type of Product:	Working Paper
	Working Papers provide preliminary analysis of substantive, technical, and methodological issues. They are works in progress that are presented to promote the sharing of valuable work experience and knowledge. These papers have not undergone a rigorous review for consistency with NCES standards.
Survey/Program Areas:	High School Transcript Studies (HST) National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 (NELS:88)
Keywords:	Coursetaking/Transcripts
Questions:	For questions about the content of this Working Paper, please contact: Elise Christopher.