Information Packages

Educational Resources

Overviews on U.S. Education

Accrediting Agencies and Policies
The Charter School Roadmap
The Condition of Education
A Diverse Educational System: Structure, standards and challenges
Organization of U.S. Education
Early Childhood Education Fast Facts
Education in The United States: A Brief Overview
Elementary and Secondary Education Fast Facts
Postsecondary Education Fast Facts
Religion and Public Schools / Publications
Special Analysis 2006: U.S. Student and Adult Performance on International Assessments of Educational Achievement

US Educational Organizations

The description of an organization is based on its own characterization of its work.

American Federation of Teachers
One of the two major teacher unions.

Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
An international, nonprofit, nonpartisan education association that provides professional development in curriculum and supervision and supports educational equity for all students.

Brown Center
A nonpartisan research center within The Brookings Institution, focusing on K-12 education research on such issues as math and reading, testing, tracking, teachers unions, exemplary schools and transforming American Schools.

Center for Education Reform
Organization that acts as a clearinghouse on school choice, charter schools and other reforms.

Citizens for Educational Freedom
Advocacy group that favors tuition vouchers and tax credits for students in private schools.

The College Board
The organization that administers the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT) and the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT). Also administers the Advanced Placement examinations.

Council of Chief State School Officials
Professional association that works to achieve equal education for all children and to improve ways to measure school performance.

Education Commission of the States
Commission that researches and surveys all phases of state education policy including restructuring of the education system, at-risk youth, school finance, teacher education and minority performance.

Education Writers Association
The organization offers a members-only listserv for EWA members.

Ethics Resource Center
Organization that produces classroom materials on character education for several grade levels.

Home School Legal Defense Association
Advocacy group that defends the right of parents to direct the education of their children. Also tracks federal legislation affecting home schooling and parental rights.

Impact II -- The Teachers' Network
A nationwide, educational, nonprofit organization that provides grants and networking opportunities in the areas of curriculum, policy and technology.

Institute for Educational Leadership
Strives to improve educational opportunities for students by working with various groups such as educators, government officials and education policymakers. Particularly interested in leadership development of those involved in education.

National Assessment Governing Board
An 26-member panel that sets policy for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) test and is developing voluntary national math and reading tests.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
Association that works for equal opportunity for minorities in all areas, including education. Seeks a quality, desegregated education for all through litigation and legislation.

National Association of State Boards of Education
Association of state education boards that examines issues including governance, school finance, at-risk youth, social education and others.

National Center for Education Statistics
Gathers and disseminates statistics on education in the United States.

National Dropout Prevention Center
Clearinghouse for dropout prevention and identifying high-risk youth.
Clemson University

National Education Association
Labor union of elementary and secondary school teachers and others involved with education.

National School Boards Association
Association of local school boards that examines funding of public education, local governance, quality of education programs and other issues.

National School Safety Center
Clearinghouse for current information and statistics on schools safety issues. Coordinates a campaign to improve school safety. A partnership of U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Education, and Pepperdine University.

Phi Delta Kappa

Progressive Policy Institute: 21st Century Schools Project

Thomas B. Fordham Foundation
Organization that supports research, publications, and action projects in elementary and secondary education reform.

 

Links to Education Resources

America's Best Graduate Schools
American Federation of Teachers 
Blue Web'n A Library of Blue Ribbon Learning Sites on the Web
Center for Education Reform
College Board Online
College Opportunities Online (COOL) - IPEDS
Compilation of Government Resources with a brief information on Education
Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE)
Digest of Education Statistics
Education Policy Clearinghouse
Educational Resources Information Center
Educational Testing Service Network
Federal Resources for Educational Excellence
Financial Aid Information Page
The Gateway to Educational Materials on the Web
Institute of International Education (IIE) 
Mcrel Lesson PLans
NAFSA: The Association of International Educators
National Center for Education Statistics
National Education Association
Opendoors Online:  Report On International Educational Exchange
Peterson's, The Education & Career Center
Political Advocacy Groups: Education
President's & Secretary's Priorities
Public Education Network
Study in the USA
The Top American Research Universities 2006
U.S. Charter Schools
U.S. Department of Education
U.S. Department of Education Supported Sites
YAHOO's Guide to U.S. Colleges and Universities
 

Legislation, Laws & Regulations

Legislation and Regulations

 

Selected Publications & Articles

AMERICAN TEENAGERS
An Electronic Journal of the U.S. Department of State, July 2005

COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES
An Electronic Journal of the U.S. Department of State, November 2005

COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN THE UNITED STATES
An electronic journal of the U.S. Department of State, Volume 7, Number 1, June 2002 

EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES: THE PRE-UNIVERSITY YEARS
Electronic Journal of the State Department, Volume 5, Number 2, June 2000

This journal presents a portrait of the current U.S. primary and secondary
education landscape, offering resources for further exploration of the subject. The themes the various articles explore, when taken together, reflect a nation that honors accessibility in its educational system and benefits from its substance, even as citizens seek imaginative ways of resolving familiar and unanticipated challenges. 

IF YOU WANT TO STUDY IN THE USA
Booklet One: Undergraduate Study from the If You Want to Study in the United States Series
Booklet Two: Graduate and Professional Study and Research from the If You Want to Study in the United States Series
Booklet Three: Short-Term Study, English Language Programs, Distance Education and Accreditation from the If You Want to Study in the United States Series
Booklet Four: Getting Ready to Go: Practical Information for Living and Studying in the United States Series

 

Innovations in Education Book Series

Creating Strong District School Choice Programs offers real-life "lessons learned" in implementing No Child Left Behind's school choice provisions. 

•   Innovations in Education School Choice Video
   Real Player (36MB; 11 minutes, 4.9 seconds)

Creating Strong Supplemental Educational Services Programs shows how five school districts provided low-income children in schools in need of improvement with free tutoring and academic assistance. 

•  Innovations in Education Supplemental Educational Services Video
   Real Player (22MB; 6 minutes, 47.3 seconds)

Successful Charter Schools profiles the successes of eight charter schools around the country.

Creating Successful Magnet Schools Programs serves as a guide for starting a magnet program and suggests how to improve a program and evaluate progress.

•  Innovations in Education Magnet Schools Video
   Real Player (30MB; 9 minutes, 12.3 seconds)

Alternative Routes to Teacher Certification looks at six programs that prepare people who already have content knowledge, such as midcareer professionals, liberal arts graduates, retired military personnel, and other college graduates, to teach.

Innovative Pathways to School Leadership provides examples of successful strategies to prepare candidates for school leadership.

 

Last Updated January 8, 2008.