The word "data" connotes math, science, and technology: digits and quantifiable units. Data imply objectification--reducing ideas, and perhaps even students and teachers, to products that can be measured and compared. Ironically, however, this conception of data is itself reductive, and it minimizes the richness and potential of data.…

This paper provides an overview of U.S. Department of Education programs authorized and funded under federal law. It includes information as well on the laboratories, centers, and other facilities funded by the Department that provide important resources for education. Each entry, which gives a brief overview of a program or resource, is listed…

This book outlines a process for showing how well a school or district meets its goal of sustained student learning. The first section provides a knowledge base for collecting and reporting educational data. The next section reflects the components of educational change and answers "how to" questions about data gathering, analysis, and reporting…

Examines unresolved problems and future prospects for research concerning school quality. Asserts that the proportion of variance among factors such as, school system, school type, grade levels, individual schools, and learning groups makes consideration of the schools as a homogenous whole doubtful. Includes numerous statistical tables and…

Briefly reviews the declining enrollment rates for undergraduate economics majors. Observes that after record enrollments during the 1980s, interest in a bachelor's economics degree dropped sharply in the 1990s. Discusses possible reasons for this decline and provides statistics. (MJP)

Briefly reviews and criticizes recent research into declining undergraduate economics enrollment. Argues that this research fails to consider an integral variable, the student's perspective. Recommends a 1981 student survey profile as a model to follow for future research. (MJP)

Maintains that high enrollment figures for undergraduate economics majors in the 1980s reflected social and economic trends more than any substantive interest in the subject. Argues that the discipline is better off without a preponderance of students whose only interest is business applications. (MJP)

Reports preliminary findings of a new project aimed at understanding the nature of time-series fluctuations in degrees awarded in various disciplines, including economics. Examines the consequences of such fluctuations for resource allocation within universities. Compares statistics among economics, history, and political science degrees. Includes…

Notes that economics is often the second choice of students screened out of an undergraduate business program. Argues that the increased enrollment in business programs during the 1980s led to a transient rise in economics enrollment. Current declining enrollment in economics corresponds to a decline in business. (MJP)

Compares characteristics of those schools that have experienced an increase in awarding undergraduate economics degrees with those suffering a decrease. Findings suggest that business/management degrees offer competition against economics degrees. Schools not offering business/management are less at risk. (MJP)

Explains and presents the results of a survey that asked teachers to rank in importance, and provide time spent on, broad topics (rise of fascism) and related subtopics (Hitler's approach to power). Two-hundred four K-12 teachers responded and provided personal information such as gender and class period length. (MJP)

Utilizes a survey of K-12 teachers in South Korea to ascertain methods and approaches to teaching about World War II. The survey asked teachers to rank in importance, and provide time spent on, broad subjects and related subtopics. Personal information included gender, class period length, and course name. (MJP)

Presents the results of the original "Teaching About World War II" survey conducted with junior high social studies teachers in Japan. The teachers generally condemned Japan's military conduct and favored a variety of instructional materials and strategies. Includes questionnaire, tables, and graphs. (MJP)

Quality Education Data is an education research firm identifies and tracks the use of technology in education. QED surveyed a selection of all public school districts and schools in the United States about technology trends. This report provides statistics for hardware, software, and network purchases in K-12 schools for 1996-97 as compared to…