Purpose: The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) compiles from state administrative records reports on student population, graduates, dropouts, staffing, and revenues and expenditures for public education. In order to report comparable data across the states, NCES uses the Common Core of Data (CCD), a set of common definitions and reporting formats developed through a cooperative agreement between NCES and the states.

NEGP Use: The Goals Panel uses the CCD dropout data to report on the progress of the nation and states toward Goal 2, School Completion. As of the Panel’s 1997 report, 26 states and the District of Columbia were using the CCD definition and methodology. This is an improvement since the Panel first reported this data for the1991-92 school year when only 13 states and the District of Columbia used the CCD standard. The Panel will not have comparable data for this important indicator until all states agree to use the CCD definitions.

Administered By: Compiled from state administrative records by the National Center for Education Statistics.

When Administered: Compiled annually by NCES.

Deadline for Participation: There is no specific deadline.

Costs: No direct cost to states.

Contact: Lee Hoffman

National Center for Education Statistics

202/219-1621