To ensure reliable, accurate, and timely data, which are necessary to monitor the progress of U.S. education, Congress has mandated that the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) produce an annual report, The Condition of Education. This year's report presents indicators of important developments and trends in U.S. education. These indicators focus on participation and persistence in education, student performance and other measures of achievement, the environment for learning, and resources for education.

This statement summarizes the main findings of the 43 indicators for 2008 that appear in the five following sections. Each indicator discussed is referenced by its number (e.g., indicator 1) in the volume.