Summarizes important education news in six sections, highlighting "main events" (from politics to privatization); (unfavorable) international comparisons of mathematics and science proficiency, reading literacy, and computer usage; common measures documenting kids' rising distress levels; school leaders' demographics and prime worries; rising…

A new calculation and reporting method designed to improve accuracy in arriving at dropout figures was tested last year by 288 school systems. The study, called the Dropout Statistics Field Test, is sponsored by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). (MLF)

Although numbers such as average test scores or dropout rates can capture part of a school system's success or failure, school statistics seldom tell the whole story. School board members should realize that numbers might measure compliance or process, rather than improvement. Also, improvements in numbers might reflect changes in assessment…

A research psychologist and education consultant offers school board members some principles for appraising statistics: (1) distinguish between rates and numbers; (2) distinguish between ranks and scores; (3) try to "look through" the pictorial representation of data; (4) double check the data for accuracy; and (5) consider the source of the data.…

Only by accepting responsibility for ferreting out all the accurate relevant information on an issue can board members trust their decisions. Describes the categories of fundamental, unsolicited, and on-demand information and how best to deal with them. (MLF)

Many states are answering the call for public reports on educational progress by developing indicator systems that are designed to show trends within and relationships among school data. A table shows 13 states and the number of indicator components used. Offers advice to school boards considering indicator systems. (MLF)

New this year to the annual desk reference of key education facts is a special report on immigration, followed by education events in review; spending on school construction and renovation; demographics of school leadership; indicators of school performance and progress; and education indicators by region and by state. (MLF)

Discusses several weaknesses in the presentation of survey findings in the Children's Defense Fund report "Children Out of School in America." (JG)

Some segments of the business community have lost patience with schools that fail to prepare disadvantaged and low-achieving students for work. Critics cite declines in test scores, higher costs, and bloated bureaucracies. Offers 17 ways to improve school performance. (MLF)

According to Tom Peters's book "Thriving on Chaos," change must become the norm, not cause for alarm. What Peters saw in the business world predominates in schools--the same inertia, fear of innovation, and rejection of technology. Schools can profit by taking Peters's advice about using research and changing antiquated teaching…

Each year, "Education Vital Signs" takes a look at how demographics, finance, test scores, and other important school-related trends are changing across the United States. Information is presented in state-by-state charts broken down into three areas-achievement, finances, and school and classroom characteristics-across the nation's six regions.…

A Pennsylvania school district was faced with increased costs and a decline in revenue from construction and real estate taxes. Using a computer graphing program that produced four-color graphs and charts that were then converted to 35 millimeter slides, the budget story was presented at town meetings, and the school board approved a 16 percent…

A pullout desk reference of key school statistics, this 10th annual edition provides a review of the year's big stories in education; key indicators of school performance and progress in areas such as test scores and educational technology; school construction and school bond issues; demographic profiles of school board members and school…

School board members can increase their knowledge of the budget process by the following actions: (1) meet with the school business official; (2) assemble school statistics; (3) evaluate each potential cut in its own right; (4) investigate new funding sources; (5) establish a budget adoption calendar; and (6) expect periodic reports from…