Education Data Glossary
Plain-language definitions of the terms behind school performance data, from proficiency rates and graduation data to Title I funding and charter school accountability. 33 terms and counting.
Assessment & Standards
Academic GrowthA measure of how much academic progress students make over time, regardless of where they started, tracking improvement rather than absolute performance.Advanced Placement (AP)College-level courses offered in high schools through the College Board, allowing students to earn college credit by passing a standardized AP exam scored on a 1-5 scale.College ReadinessThe level of academic preparation a student needs to succeed in credit-bearing college coursework without remediation, typically measured by SAT/ACT scores, AP participation, and course rigor.Common Core State StandardsA set of academic standards in mathematics and English language arts that define what students should know and be able to do at each grade level, adopted by most U.S. states.Dual EnrollmentA program that allows high school students to take college courses for both high school and college credit simultaneously, often at reduced or no cost.Proficiency RateThe percentage of students at a school who meet or exceed grade-level standards on state-mandated standardized tests in reading and math.Standardized TestingUniform assessments administered under consistent conditions to all students in a grade level, used to measure academic achievement and compare performance across schools, districts, and states.STEM EducationAn interdisciplinary approach to learning that integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, emphasizing problem-solving, critical thinking, and real-world applications.
Performance Metrics
Chronic AbsenteeismMissing 10% or more of school days in a year (approximately 18 days), regardless of whether absences are excused or unexcused, a metric tracked by most states as an indicator of student engagement.Dropout RateThe percentage of students who leave school before earning a diploma or completing an equivalent program, measured as either an event rate (one year) or a status rate (cumulative).Gifted and Talented ProgramSpecialized educational services for students identified as having exceptional academic or creative abilities, offering accelerated or enriched curriculum beyond the standard grade-level program.Graduation RateThe percentage of students who earn a regular high school diploma within four years of entering ninth grade, calculated using the Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) method required by federal law.School ClimateThe overall quality of the school environment as experienced by students, staff, and families, encompassing safety, relationships, instructional practices, and institutional culture.School Data ProfileThe collection of real federal data OpenSchoolData presents for each school, including NCES enrollment, demographics, student-teacher ratio, and EDFacts proficiency and graduation rates.Teacher-Student RatioThe number of students per full-time-equivalent teacher at a school, often used as a proxy for class size and resource allocation, though the two measures are not identical.
Accountability & Policy
Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)A now-obsolete federal accountability measure under No Child Left Behind that required schools to meet annual proficiency targets or face escalating consequences, replaced by state-designed systems under ESSA.Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)The 2015 federal education law that replaced No Child Left Behind, shifting accountability authority to states while maintaining requirements for annual testing, subgroup reporting, and intervention in the lowest-performing schools.National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)The primary federal agency for collecting, analyzing, and reporting education data in the United States, housed within the Institute of Education Sciences at the U.S. Department of Education.School AccountabilityThe system by which schools and districts are held responsible for student outcomes, including state ratings, improvement plans, and potential interventions for chronically low-performing schools.School Report CardAn annual public document produced by each state that provides performance data, demographic information, and accountability ratings for every public school and district.Title IXA federal civil rights law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance, most widely known for its impact on women's athletics.
School Types
Charter SchoolA publicly funded school that operates independently of the traditional school district system under a charter (contract) that grants operational flexibility in exchange for accountability for results.Magnet SchoolA public school with a specialized curriculum or theme, such as STEM, performing arts, or International Baccalaureate, designed to attract students from across a district or region regardless of neighborhood attendance zones.School ChoiceThe principle and set of policies that allow families to choose which school their child attends rather than being assigned to a school based solely on residential address.School DistrictA local government entity that operates and administers public schools within a defined geographic boundary, governed by an elected or appointed school board.Virtual SchoolA public school that delivers instruction primarily or entirely online, allowing students to complete coursework from home or any location with internet access.
Student Demographics
Achievement GapPersistent differences in academic performance between student groups defined by race, ethnicity, income, disability status, or English proficiency, one of the most studied problems in American education.English Learner (EL)A student whose primary language is not English and who is developing English language proficiency, previously referred to as Limited English Proficient (LEP) or English Language Learner (ELL).Free and Reduced-Price Lunch (FRL)A federal program providing subsidized meals to students from low-income families, widely used as a proxy measure for school-level poverty rates.Individualized Education Program (IEP)A legally binding document developed for each student receiving special education services, specifying the student's learning goals, accommodations, services, and placement in the least restrictive environment.Special EducationSpecially designed instruction provided at no cost to parents for students with disabilities, as mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Funding & Resources
Per-Pupil SpendingThe total amount of money a school or district spends divided by the number of enrolled students, used to compare resource levels across schools and states.Title IA federal program providing supplemental funding to schools with high percentages of students from low-income families, serving approximately 25 million students in over 56,000 schools.
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