Articles
Longer-form pieces on U.S. public school data, education finance, NCES metrics, teacher staffing, student demographics, and the policies shaping American public education.
School District Consolidation: When Small Districts Merge
Small rural districts have been consolidating for decades. What does the data show about outcomes, community impact, and the limits of efficiency arguments?
What is NAEP? The Nation's Report Card Explained
NAEP provides the most reliable national benchmark for student achievement — but it's often misunderstood. Here's what it measures and what it doesn't.
Homeschool Enrollment Trends: The Post-Pandemic Surge
Homeschooling doubled during the pandemic and has not returned to pre-2020 levels. What do we know about who is homeschooling and why?
Bilingual Education Programs: Where They Exist and Who They Serve
English Language Learner programs vary dramatically in design and quality across states. Here's what the data reveals about access and enrollment.
Virtual Schools and Online Enrollment: Pandemic-Era Trends That Persisted
Virtual school enrollment surged during COVID-19 and has not fully retreated. Here's what NCES data shows about the ongoing shift.
Per-Pupil Spending Disparities Across States and Districts
Per-pupil expenditure varies from under $10,000 to over $25,000 across U.S. states. Understanding why requires looking beyond simple averages.
How to Look Up Your School's Federal Data Profile
SchoolDataLookup aggregates NCES data into easy-to-navigate school profiles. Here's how to find the information that matters most for any public school.
The Teacher Retention Crisis: What State Data Reveals
Teacher turnover has accelerated since the pandemic. State data shows which regions and school types are bearing the greatest staffing burden.
Understanding NCES Common Core of Data: A Guide for Parents and Researchers
The NCES Common Core of Data is the most comprehensive public source for U.S. school information. Here's how to read it and what it actually tells you.
What School Lunch Data Reveals About Economic Inequality
Free and reduced-price lunch eligibility is one of the most reliable proxies for school poverty in federal data. Here's what the numbers show.