Research Guides: Science and Public Controversy: Finding Reliable Data

Education Statistical Sources

IES: Institute of Education Sciences
The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is the statistics, research, and evaluation arm of the U.S. Department of Education. We are independent and non-partisan.
National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES)
NCES issues numerous publications and datasets each year. 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.
ED Data Express
DOE Data about elementary & secondary schools in the U.S.
EDGE: Education Demographic and Geographic Estimates
Resources to identify and understand the social and spatial context of education in the U.S. It uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey to create custom indicators of social, economic, and housing conditions for school-age children and their parents. It also uses spatial data collected by NCES and the Census Bureau to create geographic locale indicators, school point locations, school district boundaries, and other types of educational geography to support spatial analysis.
The Nations Report Card
The Nation's Report Card is the largest ongoing assessment of what U.S. students know and can do.

Statistical Abstract of the United States (ProQuest) This link opens in a new window
Published since 1878, the authoritative and comprehensive summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic organization of the United States. Sources of data include the Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Bureau of Economic Analysis, and many other Federal agencies and private organizations. For editions before 2013, see the U.S. Census Bureau version of this database. NOTE: If you get asked to select your library, please choose GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY.
PolicyMap This link opens in a new window
A place-based data library with simple mapping and reporting tools for creating and sharing maps, downloading data, comparing data across locations, generating on-the-fly reports, and running analytics. Users may also upload data. The geodatabase includes demographics, real estate, health, jobs, and more from sources like the Census, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and GreatSchools.
Social Explorer This link opens in a new window
U.S. historical census data, 1790-present, and American Community Survey data, 2005-2011 with interactive thematic maps, customized reporting, graphing and charting capabilities. No. of concurrent users: 5.

Consider searching for:

Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA)
Collection of about 500 US and international religion surveys, polls, and other data submitted by researchers and made available online by the ARDA.
(Of Note: The National Survey of High School Biology Teachers)
National Center for Science Education
Mission: NCSE defends the integrity of science education against ideological interference. We work with teachers, parents, scientists, and concerned citizens at the local, state, and national levels to ensure that topics including evolution and climate change are taught accurately, honestly, and confidently.
Clergy Letter Project
An endeavor designed to demonstrate that religion and science can be compatible and to elevate the quality of the debate of this issue.
AP Program Participation
Advanced Placement Testing Participation Reports