EDUCATION: AN INTRODUCTION

Nearly 56 million youngsters are enrolled in U.S. public and private schools for the 2010-11 academic year, the U.S. Department of Education estimates. The department projects public spending of $1.13 trillion on education at all levels, with the bulk of it coming from state and local coffers. These combined figures provide keen incentive for coverage. So do the debates surrounding the pending reauthorization of No Child Left Behind legislation, as well as school choice, charter schools, early childhood education and higher education student loans and funding.

If you don't find what you need on this page, you may visit these pages for a longer list of sources.

Child Care/Early Education
Higher Ed
K-12
Special Populations

  

FAST FACTS

No Child Left Behind. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is up for reauthorization. The sweeping education reform law aims to improve academic achievement for all – and to narrow the achievement gap between disadvantaged and other students. It requires states to set standards and assessments, and it mandates annual testing in reading and math for grades 3 through 8. While proponents point to gains in achievement, questions remain on issues such as how to assist failing schools and improve teacher quality. The Obama administration released a blueprint for revising the law in March 2010. For more information on the issues and differing perspectives, visit the U.S. Department of Education and the Council of Chief State School Officers.

School choice and charters. Some 1.3 million students were enrolled in 4,400 charter schools during the 2007-08 academic year, the federal government reported. The nonprofit Center for Education Reform put the numbers at 1.7 million students among 5,400 charter schools in September 2010.

Minority enrollment. Racial or ethnic minorities accounted for slightly more than two of every five students (44 percent) enrolled in public elementary and high schools in the 2007-08 school year. See Table 7.2 of “Status and Trends in the Education of Racial and Ethnic Minorities."

Gender differences. At least 29 percent of all women in the U.S. had a bachelor's or more advanced degree in 2009, compared with 30 percent of their male counterparts, according to an April 2010 census report. Workers 18 and older with a master's, professional or doctoral degree earned an average of $83,144 in 2008, while those with a high school diploma earned $31,283.

English Language Learners. Approximately 10 percent of public school students, receive services as English Language Learners, according to the 2009 National Assessment of Education Progress. But according to the report, only 6 percent of fourth-grade English Language Learners are proficient in reading in English, compared to 34 percent of their peers. 

Public versus private. In the 2007-08 school year, there were an estimated 119,150 K-12 schools in the U.S. Among these schools, 28,220 were private schools. 

Lunch lines. Some 31.8 million youngsters participated in the National School Lunch Program in FY2010. Of these, 17.4 million were eligible for free lunch and another 3 million qualified for reduced-fee lunch, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service reported.

GENERAL EDUCATION SOURCES

Education Writers Association
The professional organization of education reporters has more than 1,000 members nationally. Its resource center provides summaries and links on education topics from preschool to higher education.
Contact: Tracee Eason, administrative coordinator, 202.452.9830; teason@ewa.org

Hechinger Institute on Education and the Media
Hechinger provides seminars and publications that better equip journalists to produce fair, accurate and insightful reporting on education. The center is part of Columbia University’s Teachers College.
Contact: Richard Lee Colvin, director, 212.870.1073; colvin@tc.columbia.edu

FEDERAL SOURCES AND RESOURCES

U.S. Department of Education
Created in 1980 from several federal agencies, the department has a budget of about $67.2 billion a year, including $57.5 billion in discretionary appropriations and $9.7 billion in mandatory appropriations. Its elementary and secondary programs serve approximately 56 million students in public and private schools. See budget information here.
Contact: Press Office, 202.401.1576

Two of the department's many components are: 

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education
It oversees programs oversees programs for student achievement and school accountability, migrant education, technology, teacher quality and more.
Contact: Press Office, 202.401.1576

Institute of Education Sciences
It encompasses four centers for research, evaluation, special education research and statistics. The National Center for  Education Statistics collects and analyzes data. It oversees the National Assessment of Educational Progress, the “nation’s report card.” NCES produces daily snapshots and annual reports on the condition of education, indicators of school crime and safety, and more.
Contact: Matthew Devine, IES communications director, 202.208.1228; mediarequests@ies.ed.gov

Committee on Education and Labor, U.S. House of Representatives
The committee and its five subcommittees oversee education and workforce programs, from early learning through secondary education, from job training through retirement.
Contact: Democrats, 202.225.3725; Republicans, 202.225.4527

Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions, U.S. Senate
The HELP committee and its three subcommittees have jurisdiction over issues related to education and workforce development, including Head Start, the No Child Left Behind Act, higher education, student financial aid, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), job and vocational training and the Workforce Investment Act.
Contact: Democrats, 202.224.0767; Republicans, 202.224.6770

 

OTHER SOURCES AND RESOURCES  

Achieve Inc.
Created by governors and business leaders in 1996, the Washington-based nonprofit aims to close educational achievement gaps and prepare all students for college and the workplace. Its American Diploma Project Network is a coalition of 30 states dedicated to aligning K-12 curriculum, standards, assessments and accountability policies. Profiles of these states are available online.
Contact: 202.419.1540.

American Enterprise Institute
AEI is a private, conservative-leaning nonprofit institution dedicated to research and education on issues of government, politics, economics and social welfare. Frederick Hess directs its education policy studies. The resident scholar specializes in issues such as No Child Left Behind, school choice, education politics and accountability.
Contact: Frederick Hess, 202.862.5933; rhess@aei.org

Alliance for Excellent Education
The national policy, research and advocacy organization focuses on the 6 million students who are most at risk of leaving high school without a diploma or the means for a productive future. The Alliance compiles data, statistical analyses and legislative summaries. It also publishes a biweekly newsletter on national education news and events.
Contact: Jason Amos, communications director, 202.828.0828; jamos@all4ed.org

American Council on Education
The major coordinating body for all the nation’s higher education institutions, ACE provides leadership on key higher education issues and aims to influence public policy through advocacy, research and program initiatives. Recent reports look at student aid as well as barriers to adults ages 55 to 79 returning to the classroom.
Contact: Public affairs, 202.939.9300; ginnie_pera@ace.nche.edu or michelle_murphy@ace.nche.edu

Arts Education Partnership
The national coalition of more than 140 arts, education, business, philanthropic and government organizations promotes quality arts education in schools. AEP has a searchable database with information on states’ arts education policies. AEP was founded by the National Endowment for the Arts and the U.S. Department of Education, in cooperation with the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies and the Council of Chief State School Officers. It’s housed at the CCSSO’s offices in Washington, D.C.
Contact: Laura Smyth, senior associate for communications and partnerships, 202.326.8693; lauras@ccsso.org

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
The Seattle-based foundation's U.S. program includes an education focus to increase the number of students who graduate from high school prepared for college and work. The foundation also works to improve technology in public libraries serving low-income and disadvantaged communities.
Contact: Media staff, 206.709.3400; media@gatesfoundation.org

Brookings Institution
Its Brown Center on Education Policy examines problems in the U.S. education system and helps delineate practical solutions. Most of its research has focused on the elementary and secondary levels, but its agenda is expanding to address higher education issues as well. Its director is Tom Loveless, a former sixth-grade teacher and Harvard public policy professor.
Contact: Communications office, 202.797.6105; communications@brookings.edu

Center for Best Practices, National Governors Association
Basically a consulting firm for governors, the Washington-based center has five divisions: education, environment, health, homeland security and workforce programs. Its education division provides information on best practices in early childhood, elementary, secondary and postsecondary education. Its weekly electronic magazine, Front and Center, covers trends, policies and issues affecting states.
Contact: John Thomasian, center director, 202.624.5300

Center for Teaching Quality
A research-based advocacy organization launched in 1999, the center focuses on the conditions of teaching, leadership and skill improvement opportunities for teachers and student achievement issues. Its Web site provides extensive reports and presentations on education reform. It publishes a free, electronic newsletter, Teaching Quality: Best Practices & Policies.
Contact: 919.241.1575

College Board
Founded in 1900, this nonprofit association represents more than 5,000 schools, colleges and universities. Each year, it serves 7 million students, 23,000 high schools and 3,500 colleges with services involving admissions, guidance, assessment, financial aid and teaching. Its site provides higher education studies, state summary reports for college-bound juniors and seniors and a new SAT guide. Its best-known products include the SAT, PSAT and Advanced Placement Program.
Contact: Public affairs, 212.713.8052

College Parents of America
The national group, based in Arlington, Va., advocates for and serves current and future college parents. Its 20,000 members includes representatives of colleges and universities, local school systems, corporations, associations and other organizations dedicated to higher-education access. The site covers everything from helicopter parents to college loans to handling medical emergencies on campus.
Contact: Christal Karnaze, media specialist, media@collegeparents.org

Council of Chief State School Officers
Established in 1927, the nonprofit, nonpartisan council represents elementary and secondary school officials throughout the United States and Department of Defense schools at home and abroad. The council provides advocacy and technical assistance on major educational issues. Its collection of No Child Left Behind annotated resources can be found here.
Contact: 202.336.7000

Education Commission of the States
Based in Denver, the nonpartisan, interstate compact helps states develop effective policy and practice. It represents state leaders – including governors, legislators and higher education officials—and it provides an index and numerous publications on educational issues, individual state data and e-newsletters. ECS offers a link to Education Week’s extensive daily news roundup. It serves as a gateway to other good resources, providing links to nearly 50 other major agencies and organizations, such as the Council of Chief State School Officers, the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the National PTA.
Contact: Kathy Christie, chief of staff, 303.299.3613; kchristie@ecs.org

Education Sector
The independent education policy think tank focuses on developing solutions to pressing problems and to serving as an honest broker of evidence in key education debates. Its Education Sector Explainers series aims to simplify complicated issues such as No Child Left Behind and school accountability. And its Eduwonk.com blog, by co-director Andrew Rotherham, gives chatty leads on breaking news and behind-the-scenes machinations. Contact: Kevin Carey, research and policy manager, 202.552.2840; kcarey@educationsector.org

Education Trust
The national nonprofit works for the high academic achievement of all students, especially Latino, African American, Native American and low-income youths. From offices in Washington, D.C., and Oakland, Calif., it provides research, analysis, lobbying and technical assistance.
Contact: Stephanie Germeraad, public affairs officer, 202.293.1217, Ext. 354; sgermeraad@edtrust.org

Educational Testing Service
The private, nonprofit organization focuses on educational measurement and research, primarily through testing. It develops and administers millions of achievement and admissions each year in the United States and 180 other countries. ETS headquarters are in Lawrenceville, N.J.
Contact: Tom Ewing, press relations director, 609.683.2803; tewing@ets.org

Heritage Foundation
The Washington, D.C.-based think tank endorses “good governance in education, including returning authority to the states and empowering parents with the opportunity to choose a safe and effective school for their child.”
Contact: Media affairs, 202.675.1761

Learning Point Associates
The nonprofit education research and consulting firm provides guidance on teaching and learning content as well as policy. Working with practitioners and policymakers, it helps education systems define goals and outcomes for improvement. The company, based in metropolitan Chicago, focuses on: comprehensive school improvement, after-school programming, literacy, math and science, teacher quality and technology.
Contact: Paul Corrigan-Halpern, communications director, 312.288.7618;  paula.corrigan-halpern@learningpt.org

Manhattan Institute for Policy Research
The New York-based think tank’s Center for Civic Innovation includes education reform in its areas of study. It lists two primary goals for public education: more school choice (including charter schools and school vouchers) and greater accountability.
Contact: Lindsay Young Craig, communications director, 212.599.7000; communications@manhattan-institute.org

Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund
The national nonprofit protects and promotes civil rights for 40 million Latinos living in the United States. Based in Los Angeles, with several regional offices, it handles cases involving education, employment, political access, immigration and public resource equity.
Contact: Laura Rodriguez, communications director, 202.746.7825, Ext. 124; lrodriguez@maldef.org

National Association for Bilingual Education
NABE represents both English language learners and bilingual education professionals. It has affiliates in 23 states, with a combined membership of more than 20,000 bilingual and English-as-a-second-language teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, university professions, researchers, advocates, policymakers and parents.
Contact: Dr. Santiago V. Wood, director, 240.450.3700

National Association of Independent Schools
The nonprofit membership organization represents more than 1,300 independent schools and associations in the United States, as well as affiliates with independent schools abroad. Its members teach more than 500,000 students. The site’s “resources and statistics” section offers data on enrollment, admission, tuition, financial aid, staff, teacher salaries, income, expenses and annual giving, plus links to state, regional and national school associations.
Contact: Nancy Raley, vice president of communications, 202.973.9748; raley@nais.org

National Conference of State Legislatures
NCSL is a bipartisan organization comprised of a 60-member Executive Committee of legislators and legislative staff members. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas. Its site has overviews of key state and federal issues and related research.
Contact: 202.624.5400

National Parent Teacher Association
The nation’s largest volunteer child advocacy association provides parents with resources on health, technology, safety and student achievement. Its site provides summaries of key education issues.
Contact: James Martinez, media relations, 571.329.9352; jmartinez@pta.org.

New America Foundation
The think tank’s Education Policy Program focuses on modernizing systems of school finance, teaching and learning, and college financial aid. The foundation’s Federal Education Budget Project provides ongoing, in-depth study and analysis. Its Early Education Initiative urges reforms concentrated on pre-K through grade 3. Its HigherEdWatch.org blog highlights analysis, reporting and commentary. 
Contact: Troy K. Schneider, communications director, 202.596.3370; schneider@newamerica.net

RAND
Education is one of 15 research divisions at the think tank, headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif. Research includes K-12 assessment and accountability, school reform, teachers and teaching, higher education, military education and training, worker training, and substance-abuse prevention in schools.
Contact: Jeffrey Hiday, media relations director, 703.413.1100, Ext. 5117; jhiday@rand.org or media@rand.org

The After-School Corporation (TASC)
The nonprofit organization works in New York City and nationally to build the after-school field, innovate program models for kids in grades K-12 and advocate for policy change to enhance the quality and sustainability of programs and to close the opportunity gap. TASC
produces a month e-newsletter reporting on after-school policy, legislation, resources and national calendar of events.
Contact: Susan Brenna, director of communications, 646.943.8712, sbrenna@tascorp.org

The Public Education Network
PEN is a national association of local education funds and individuals promoting public school reform in low-income communities nationwide. Its weekly, e-mailed NewsBlast summarizes related news stories.
Contact: 202.628.7460; PEN@PublicEducation.org

Thomas B. Fordham Foundation
The nonprofit foundation, affiliated with the like-named institute, shares its belief that all children deserve a high-quality K-12 education at the school of their choice. The foundation supports research, publications and projects in education reform. It produces a weekly bulletin, The Education Gadfly.
Contact: Amy Fagan, public affairs director, 202.223.1810; afagan@edexcellence.net

 

Key questions center on spending, access, quality and accountability. Should public funds provide preschool for all children? Or, instead of universal pre-K, should dollars be targeted to disadvantaged children? Programs and participation vary widely by state.

 
FEDERAL SOURCES
Administration on Children and Families, U.S. Department of Heath and Human Services
ACF is responsible for Head Start, the Child Care Bureau and other federal programs that promote the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals and communities.
Contact: Kenneth Wolfe, ACF communications director, 202.401.9215; kenneth.wolfe@acf.hhs.gov

Key programs that cover educational issues include: 

Child Care Bureau
The bureau works to enhance child-care quality, affordability and availability. It administers federal funds to states, territories and tribes to assist low-income families in accessing quality care when the parents work or participate in education or training. Its National Child Care Information Center archives reports, issued every other year, that summarize how states and territories plan to use federal Child Care Development Funds to improve services. With the National Association for Regulatory Administration, the center also produces an annual child care licensing study.
Contact: 202.690.6782

Office of Head Start
Head Start and Early Head Start are child development programs that serve children from birth to age 5, pregnant women and their families. Their goal is to improve the school readiness and overall development of young children in low- income families and those  with disabilities. Contact: 202.401.9215; kenneth.wolfe@acf.hhs.gov

 

OTHER SOURCES

Center for the Child Care Workforce
The center – a project of the American Federation of Teachers Educational Foundation – works to ensure that the early care and education workforce is well-educated, better paid and heard. Its provides data, recent reports and archived newsletters.
Contact: 202.662.8005

Child Care & Early Education Research Connections
A partnership – of the federal Child Care Bureau, Columbia University’s National Center for Children in Poverty and the University of Michigan’s Interuniversity Consortium for Political and Social Research – the project offers comprehensive  research and data resources on children’s early education experiences through age 8 and, in terms of child care, through age 13. It includes scholarly research, policy briefs, government reports and interactive tools that allow users to compare state demographics.
Click here for partners’ contact information.

Child Study Center, Yale University
A department of the Yale University School of Medicine, it brings together multiple disciplines – including child psychiatry, pediatrics, genetics, neurobiology, epidemiology, nursing and social work – to better understand children and families. The New Haven, Conn., combines research, clinical services, training programs and policy work. Major areas of study include: early childhood development and assessment; preschool mental health consultation; preschool and early intervention effectiveness research; and child social policy.
Contact: 203.785.2540

David and Lucile Packard Foundation
The Los Altos, Calif.-based foundation’s Families and Communities Program supports quality early education for all children, especially those in California. It promotes two other goals: implementing after-school programs for all California students in elementary and middle schools and expanding health insurance access to all children.
Contact: Lois Salisbury, FCP director, 650.948.7658; cfc@packard.org

Early Childhood Initiative Foundation
The Miami-based foundation aims to improve early care parenting and education. Its site provides information on disabilities, sexual abuse, adoption, trends and community resources. Its president is David Lawrence Jr., former publisher of The Miami Herald (Lawrence also serves on the Journalism Center on Children & Families' board.) Contact: 305.646.7229; dlawrence@childreadiness.org

Foundation for Child Development
Based in New York City, the national, private philanthropy seeks to understand children, particularly the disadvantaged, and to promote their well-being. Its PK-3 Initiative supports preschool and encourages aligning curricula to support children’s developmental needs, especially through third grade. The foundation’s New American Children Initiative focuses on the special challenges facing children in immigrant families. And its Child Well-Being Index paints a composite picture of children over time.
Contact: Mark Bogosian, communications director, 212.867.5777; mark@fcd-us.org   

National Association for the Education of Young Children
NAEYC, which dates to 1926 and now has nearly 100,000 members nationally, works to build public support for expanding early childhood education programs. It promotes programs and sets standards through which child care centers, preschools, Head Start programs and kindergartens may seek voluntary accreditation. The organization publishes the Early Childhood Research Quarterly.
Contact: Kathleen Donato, media contact, 202.350.8824; press@naeyc.org

National Institute for Early Education Research
Based at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J., it provides policy makers, journalists, researchers and educators with nonpartisan research-based information on early childhood education. It collects, archives and commissions new research on early childhood education.
Contact: Pat Ainsworth, communications director, at 732.932.4350, Ext. 229; painsworth@nieer.org

National Task Force on Early Childhood Education for Hispanics
Established at Arizona State University in 2004, the task force aims to improve Hispanic children’s educational readiness and close the achievement gap. Comprised of policymakers, business and community leaders, strategists, early childhood educators and researchers, the task force published a March 2007 report with statistics, major findings and policy recommendations. The site includes contacts and additional resources.
Contact: Eugene E. Garcia, chairman, 480.965.1315; VPGarcia@asu.edu

Pre-K Now
A public education and advocacy organization, Pre-K Now advances high-quality, voluntary pre-kindergarten for all 3- and 4-year-olds. Supported by The Pew Charitable Trusts and other funders and a project of the Institute for Educational Leadership, it supports state-based children’s advocates, educates policy makers and raises public awareness about the need for universal pre-K.
Contact: Alia Dastagir, Senior Communications Associate, 202.540.6524

Zero to Three
The national nonprofit organization supports the healthy development and well-being of infants, toddlers and their families. It publishes research-based information on best practices and the latest developments in the field for professionals. Hallmark publications include the bimonthly Zero to Three Journal and a text on the first developmentally based system for diagnosing mental health and developmental disorders in infants and toddlers. Since Early Head Start’s inception in 1995, Zero to Three has operated the program’s national resource center.
Contact: Tom Salyers, communications director, 202.857.2608; tsalyers@zerotothree.org

 

HIGHER EDUCATION

An estimated 18 million students enrolled in the nation’s colleges and universities this fall, up from 12.8 million 20 years ago, according to statistics. If past trends persist, many of these students are older: In October 2005, 37 percent were at least age 25. Of these older students, more than half (56 percent) attended school part time. See census highlights and data here. 

College costs continue to soar. The College Board estimates the price tag for tuition, fees, room and board during 2007-08 at $13,539 for a public university’s in-state residents and $24,044 for nonresidents. The price climbs to $32,307 for private, four-year institutions. See page 6 of College Board's report here.

In light of the student loan scandal, in which college financial aid officers received illegal payments from banks they promoted, critics have called for colleges to supply more details in disbursing aid. The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, signed into law in late September 2007, increased student financial aid by roughly $20 billion over five years, with the money coming from cuts in excess subsidies to student loan banks.

Federal Source

Office of Vocational and Adult Education, U.S. Department of Education
The office addresses issues involving high school, career, technical, and adult education and life long learning as well as community colleges, workforce and economic development.
Contact: 202.245.7700; ovae@ed.gov

 

OTHER SOURCES

American Association of Community Colleges
The Washington, D.C.-based association represents more than 1,200 associate-degree granting institutions enrolling nearly 12 million students – almost half of all undergraduates. Its fact sheet cites data on demographics (the average student age is 29), employment (27 percent work full time), types of degrees awarded annual (550,000 associates) and more.
Contact: Norma Kent, vice president of communications, 703.728.0200, Ext. 209 or 703.585.8556 (cell); nkent@AACC.nche.edu

Association of American Colleges and Universities
The association represents more than 1,100 accredited colleges and universities – two- and four-year, public and private – that collectively educate more than 5 million students a year. It concentrates on the quality, vitality and public standing of undergraduate liberal education.
Contact: Debra Humphreys, media specialist, 202.387.3760, Ext. 422; humphreys@aacu.org

Association for Career and Technical Education; www.acteonline.org
ACTE is the largest national education association focused on career preparation for youth and adults. It’s based in Alexandria, Va.
Contact: Peter Magnuson, senior director of communications, 703.683.3111, Ext. 341or 800.826.9972; pmagnuson@acteonline.org

Board on Higher Education and 
Part of the National Academies, the advisory board provides government, academic and industry leaders with analyses and recommendations on issues in higher education and the science and engineering workforce. It’s based in Washington, D.C.
Contact: Sabrina E. Hall, program associate, 202.334.2700; shall@nas.edu

The College Board
The New York-based nonprofit membership association represents more than 5,200 schools, colleges, universities and other organizations. Founded in 1900, it now serves 7 million students and their parents, 23,000 high schools and 3,500 colleges through major programs and services in college admissions, guidance, assessment, financial aid, enrollment, and teaching and learning. Its best-known programs include the SAT and Advanced Placement.
Contact: Megan Dearing, communications associate, 212.713.8052; mdearing@collegeboard.org

Institute for Higher Education Policy; www.ihep.org
The institute works to improve access to higher education for low-income, minority, first-generation and other disadvantaged groups. Founded in 1993, it’s based in Washington, D.C.
Contact: Tia Gordon, communications director, 202.372.7204; tgordon@ttgpartners.com

Lumina Foundation
The Indianapolis-based, private, independent foundation aims to expand access to postsecondary education, particularly for students of low income or other underrepresented background. It also seeks to improve opportunities for adult learners.  Lumina grants support research, innovation, communication and evaluation, as well as policy education and leadership development.
Contact: Lucia Anderson, media relations, 317.951.5316; landerson@luminafoundation.org

National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
The nonprofit organization, based in Washington, D.C., represents 900 private institutions. Its staff meets with policymakers, tracks campus trends, conducts research, analyzes higher education issues, and more. NAICU has spearheaded initiatives such as the Student Aid Alliance – an effort to boost funding for student aid programs – and the nonpartisan National Campus Voter Registration Project.
Contact: Tony Pals, public information director, 202.739.0474; tony@naicu@edu

National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education; www.highereducation.org
The nonprofit, nonpartisan center promotes public policies that enhance opportunities for high-quality education and training beyond high school. Its quarterly newsletter, National CrossTalk, explores timely issues such as remediation and the distribution of student financial aid. The center is in San Jose, Calif.
Contact: Noreen Savelle, media specialist, 408.271.2699; nsavelle@highereducation.org

Spencer Foundation
The Chicago-based nonprofit foundation investigates ways in which education, broadly conceived, can be improved around the world. It supports research as well as fellowship and training programs.
Contact: Liz Carrick, administrator, 312.274.6535; lcarrick@spencer.org

State Higher Education Executive Officers
Created in 1945, the organization promotes statewide coordination and governance on higher education issues. Its site provides links for various higher education organizations, data, analytical tools and state quick facts. It’s based in Boulder, Colo.
Contact: 303.541.1600; sheeo@sheeo.org

 

SPECIAL POPULATIONS

Roughly 5.4 million Americans have developmental disabilities, which begin any time from birth through age 21. Before passage of the Developmental Disabilities Act in 1970, children with such disabilities could not attend schools and many were institutionalized. The law entitles people with disabilities to education and job training, often provided in their own neighborhoods. The DDA also promotes early testing, identification and treatment to minimize disabilities and their effects.

 

Federal Sources

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
Part of the U.S. Department of Education, the office aims to improve opportunities and outcomes for people with disabilities of all ages. In supporting No Child Left Behind and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, OSERS provides a wide array of supports to parents and individuals, school districts and states in three main areas: special education, vocational rehabilitation and research.
Contact: 202.245.7468

Administration on Developmental Disabilities
Part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children & Families, ADD is charged with improving and increasing services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Its ADD Update is a periodic report on relevant programs, legislative requirements and other items of interest. It maintains a list of individual state councils on developmental disabilities.
Contact: Kenneth Wolfe, ACF communications director, 202.401.9215; kenneth.wolfe@acf.hhs.gov

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
NICHD, part of the National Institutes of Health, supports research on a range of developmental aspects. Its Learning Disabilities Research Centers network includes: Georgetown University, the University of Colorado, the University of Washington and Yale University.
Contact: Robert Bock, press officer, 301.496.5133; bockr@mail.nih.gov

 

Other Sources

Council for Exceptional Children
The international professional organization is dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. It advocates for governmental policies, sets professional standards and supports professional development, and helps professionals obtain effective conditions and resources. It’s based in Arlington, Va.
Contact: Diane Shinn, senior communications director, 703.264.9478; dianes@cec.sped.org 

National Dissemination Center for Children With Disabilities; http://research.nichcy.org/whatworks.asp
This helpful site, updated in fall 2007, reviews and synthesizes current research on children with disabilities. It explores effective education practices, providing tips and extensive links to other resources on improving schools and services. It’s a project of the Academy for Educational Development, funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs.
Contact: 202.884.8200 or 800.695.0285; nichcy@aed.org

National Association of Special Education Teachers
NASET, a national membership organization, is dedicated to meeting the needs of special education teachers and those preparing for the field. Its fact sheets, available via free registration, cover topics such as certification or the percent of special-ed teachers by racial group. It’s based in Washington, D.C.
Contact: George Giuliani, executive director, 800.754.4421, Ext. 105; drgiuliani@naset.org

National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities
The association, based in Alexandria, Va., represents 55 state and territorial councils working on developmental disability issues, including education.

Contact: Michael Brogioli, chief executive officer, 202.506.5813; mbrogioli@nacdd.org