The emergence of longitudinal data systems over the past decade has provided exciting opportunities to better understand students' educational trajectories over time and institutions. The stark reality for today's high school students is that some form of postsecondary education is a necessary ticket of entry to a secure economic future. This…

This last report from Mathematica's evaluation of Upward Bound analyzes data from the final round of survey and transcript data collection as well as administrative records from the National Student Clearinghouse and the federal Student Financial Aid files. It provides the first estimates of the effects of Upward Bound on postsecondary completion.…

This technical report documents the procedures used to collect and summarize data from the 2005 High School Transcript Study (HSTS 2005). The transcript studies serve as a barometer for changes in high school graduates' course-taking patterns; these patterns provide information about the rigor of high school curricula followed across the nation.…

This report serves as the survey documentation for the design and implementation of the 2003-04 Schools and Staffing Survey. Topics covered include the sample design, survey methodology, data collection procedures, data processing, response rates, imputation procedures, weighting and variance estimation, review of the quality of data, the types of…

This is the fourth annual report to Congress by the US Department of Education. Among the highlights of this report are: (1) More students were reported by states as having enrolled in vocational and technical education courses in Program Year (PY) 2002-2003 than in the past three years; (2) There remain concerns about the quality and reliability…

This report examines the ways that credit-based transition programs (CBTPs) may help middle- and low-achieving students enter and succeed in college. It highlights promising practices used by CBTPs to help students who might have been considered noncollege-bound prepare for college credit course work. The report also discusses the challenges that…

The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998 (Perkins III) requires, in Section 113(c)(3)(C), that the Secretary provide the appropriate committees of Congress copies of annual reports received by the Department from each eligible agency that receives funds under the Act. Section 113(c)(3)(a) further requires the Secretary to…