Education Information: Production and Quality Deserve Increased Attention. Statement before the Subcommittee on Government Information and Regulation, Committee on Government Affairs, U.S. Senate.

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28

Academic Achievement; Agency Role; Data Collection; Educational Finance; Educational Quality; Elementary Secondary Education; Excellence in Education; Federal Programs; Government Role; Information Needs; Information Utilization; National Surveys; Outcomes of Education; Statistical Analysis; Trend Analysis

This report concerning information on education in the United States addresses three questions: (1) what has happened over the past 15 years? (2) what are some reasons for the decline that has taken place in information gathering activity? and (3) how far does the problem in information gathering extend? Federally sponsored research and information gathering in the area of education has decreased dramatically, with a shift from data production toward dissemination and the investigation of fewer educational areas. A review conducted in 1987 established that the lack of economic resources was the major factor, in conjunction with the changes in congressional mandates, leadership, and educational priorities. Since that review, further declines have been noted. The review processes of the Office of Management and Budget also influence education information, narrowing the types of data collection approved. The use of local data requires major organizational efforts, and still bears many limitations. Recent developments suggest that the search for quality educational information is improving, but sizable efforts are required to properly assess the seemingly accessible world of schools, teachers, and students. An appendix contains five tables of fiscal data. (SLD)

1991

ED327555