National Center for Education Statistics

(NCES) in the Dept of Education is the principal Federal agency that collects and analyzes data on education in the United States. NCES maintains a survey program that provides information on children's health, early care, and early school experiences; on the condition of public and private education; and on libraries and information centers. It conducts studies of student financial aid, postsecondary faculty, and doctoral degree recipients, as well as transcript studies and various longitudinal studies. NCES collects and reports information on the academic performance of students as well as the literacy level of the adult population. The National Assessment of Educational Progress is NCES's primary tool for assessing what American elementary/secondary students know and can do in academic subjects. NCES also administers the Statewide Data Systems program, which provides grants to the states for the management and analysis of individual student data to improve student academic performance and close achievement gaps. Contacts