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This report by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) provides an in-depth overview of the state of education in the United States, covering early childhood through postsecondary education and beyond. It offers insights into enrollment trends, student demographics, academic achievements, and economic outcomes.
Main Takeaways:
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K-12 Enrollment Trends:
- Pandemic Impact: School enrollment of young children and public elementary and secondary school enrollment increased in 2022 compared to the previous year but remained below pre-pandemic levels. For example, the enrollment rate for 3- to 5-year-olds rebounded to 59% in 2022, up from 53% in 2021, but still lower than 61% in 2019.
- Public vs. Private Enrollment: Between 2012 and 2022, public charter school enrollment increased by 64%, while traditional public school enrollment decreased by 4%. Private K-12 enrollment remained stable at 4.7 million students in 2019 and 2021.
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Student Demographics and Services:
- Diverse Population: The percentages of American Indian/Alaska Native, Black, and White public school students decreased, whereas the percentages of Asian, Hispanic, and students of Two or more races increased from 2012 to 2022.
- Special Services: The number of students ages 3-21 served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) increased from 6.4 million in 2012-13 to 7.5 million in 2022-23, representing an increase from 13% to 15% of total public school enrollment. Qualifying Disabilities under IDEA.
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Academic Performance:
- Graduation Rates: The adjusted cohort graduation rate (ACGR) for public high school students increased from 80% in 2011-12 to 87% in 2021-22.
- Dropout Rates: The status dropout rate for 16- to 24-year-olds decreased from 7.0% in 2012 to 5.3% in 2022.
- NAEP Scores: According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) long-term trend assessments, average scores for 13-year-olds declined by 4 points in reading and 9 points in mathematics from 2019-20 to 2022-23.
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Postsecondary Education Trends:
- Undergraduate Enrollment: Total undergraduate enrollment in degree-granting postsecondary institutions decreased by 13% from 2012 to 2022, driven by a decline in enrollment at 2-year institutions.
- Postbaccalaureate Enrollment: Enrollment in postbaccalaureate programs increased overall from 2.9 million in 2012 to 3.2 million in 2022.
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Economic Outcomes and Educational Attainment:
- Earnings and Education: Higher educational attainment is associated with higher median earnings. For example, in 2022, the median earnings of master’s or higher degree completers were 20% higher than those of bachelor’s degree completers, and bachelor’s degree completers earned 35% more than associate’s degree completers.
Impact on Community Colleges and K-12 Education:
- Enrollment Declines: The decline in K-12 enrollment, especially in traditional public schools, could impact community colleges as they typically draw students from these schools. Lower enrollment at the K-12 level may translate to fewer students entering community colleges.
- Diverse Student Needs: The increasing diversity in student demographics and the rise in the number of students requiring special services under IDEA will necessitate community colleges to enhance their support systems and inclusivity measures.
- CTE Pathways: Career and technical education (CTE) programs in high schools, which have seen varied postsecondary outcomes, highlight the need for community colleges to align their programs with the skills and knowledge required by the labor market to better support CTE concentrators transitioning to higher education.
- Economic Disparities: The association between educational attainment and economic outcomes underscores the critical role of community colleges in providing accessible pathways to higher education, thereby improving the earning potential and economic stability of their graduates.