The end of August marks the beginning of a new school year for many students in the United States. As you stock up on school supplies, shop for clothes, or enjoy one more summer outing before the school bell rings, consider these "back-to-school" facts:
The 1840 census was the first to collect data about schools and students. The Census Act of 1840 provided for the collection of statistics pertaining to "the pursuits, industry, education, and resources of the country." Today, these data are collected by the census and surveys of governments.
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