About Us
Who Is NCES?
The purpose of the National Center for Education Statistics' website is to provide clear, complete information about NCES' mission and activities, and to serve the research, education and other interested communities. NCES values your comments and suggestions for improving the usability of this site. To provide comments or suggestions, or to seek further assistance, contact the NCES webmaster at NCESwebmaster@ed.gov.
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) (see Organizational Chart) is the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to education in the U.S. and other nations. NCES is located within the U.S. Department of Education and the Institute of Education Sciences.
Programs and Plans of NCES 2005 Edition
This publication summarizes NCES's current statistical programs and its major publications and plans for future work. In this publication are descriptions, timelines and plans for all of the NCES data collections. Also described in this report are descriptions of NCES center-wide programs and services such as training, technology and customer service.
NCES Staff Directory
Find information about all NCES employees and about who at NCES can help you with your specific questions.
What Does NCES Do?
The National Center for Education Statistics fulfills a Congressional mandate to collect, collate, analyze, and report complete statistics on the condition of American education; conduct and publish reports; and review and report on education activities internationally. The structure and activities of the center are as follows:
NCES Organizational Chart
What Are NCES' Statistical Standards?
NCES has an extensive Statistical Standards Program that consults and advises on methodological and statistical aspects involved in the design, collection, and analysis of data collections in the Center. NCES program staff also provides consultation and advise to the NCES Data Cooperatives, and to other offices within the Department of Education as the need arises. This program publishes and updates the NCES Statistical Standards.
Who Uses NCES Statistics?
Education statistics are used for a number of purposes:
How Are These Statistics Disseminated?
NCES issues numerous publications and datasets each year. These include: early releases, issue briefs, statistical reports, directories, and handbooks of standard terminology. Many publications report the findings of specific surveys, but at least three--Digest of Education Statistics, Projections of Education Statistics, and The Condition of Education--cover the field of education statistics from a broad perspective.
How Can NCES Help You?
The National Center for Education Statistics helps its customers by:
To obtain copies of publications please contact the Education Publications Center (ED Pubs).
edpubs.ed.gov
Toll-free phone # : 877-4-ED-Pubs (877-433-7827)
TTY/TDD toll-free number: 877-576-7734
FAX: 301-470-1244
e-mail: edpubs@edpubs.ed.gov
mail: ED Pubs
P.O.Box 1398
Jessup, Md. 20794-1398
For multiple copies of publications contact the Government Printing Office at (202) 512-1800 or try online ordering.