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Not seeing what you need? Use our request information form. To see a list of our reports by release date, please click here or for a list of 50-State Comparisons please click here.

50-State Comparison: Statewide Admissions Policies

In an effort to establish common expectations for college preparedness among incoming students, some states or higher education systems have adopted common admissions policies applicable to first-time, first-year students seeking […]

April 30, 2026

High School, Postsecondary

50-State Comparison

Nationwide

Assessment, Transitions

50-State Comparison: K-12 Governance

Education policy is shaped by each state’s constitution and laws, how leadership roles are structured and filled, and the authority different state policymakers hold. These systems can be complex and […]

Feb. 19, 2026

50-State Comparison: State Data Dictionaries and Manuals

States often publish data dictionaries or manuals that showcase which data elements their systems collect. This resource links to every public education-to-workforce data dictionary, data manual, or related document our […]

Oct. 28, 2025

Early Education (P-3), K-12, Postsecondary, Workforce

50-State Comparison

Nationwide

AI and Data Systems, Early Care and Education, Governance, Student Learning, Workforce Development

50-State Comparison: Free and Compulsory School Age Requirements

Age requirements for free and compulsory education help policymakers ensure that students receive the benefits of K-12 education and support a reduction in dropout rates. Depending on the state, students are required to attend school for as few as nine years and up to 13 years. However, exemptions exist on both sides of the K-12 spectrum to support students with circumstances outside of compulsory attendance requirements.

Oct. 21, 2025

50-State Comparison: Postsecondary Education Funding

Public postsecondary institutions rely on state funding serving as one of the primary sources of funding for public two- and four-year institutions. States vary considerably in how they structure their […]

July 23, 2025

Postsecondary

50-State Comparison

Nationwide

Funding, Postsecondary Affordability

50-State Comparison: Teacher Recruitment and Retention

Schools continue to face specific and persistent teacher shortages in certain subjects, such as upper-level math and special education, and in certain schools, including historically under-resourced schools and rural schools. […]

July 7, 2025

50-State Comparison: Developmental Education Policies

This 50-State Comparison examines state and systemwide developmental education policies. Developmental education, sometimes referred to as remedial education, is designed to develop foundational knowledge in reading, writing and mathematics for […]

Feb. 24, 2025

High School, Postsecondary

50-State Comparison

Nationwide

Assessment, Student Learning, Transitions

50-State Comparison: Early Care and Education Governance

This 50-State Comparison and its accompanying Policy Outline provide data on states’ early care and education governance systems, with a focus on the agencies that oversee these programs, the level of alignment of these programs and the advisory entities for early care and education in the state.

Oct. 6, 2024

Early Education (P-3)

50-State Comparison

Nationwide

Early Care and Education, Governance

50-State Comparison: School Accountability Systems

School accountability systems serve many purposes, including sharing information, measuring progress toward state and local goals, highlighting gaps in performance between student groups, and identifying schools for support and additional […]

Sept. 29, 2024

50-State Comparison: Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems

Education Commission of the States has researched Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS) policies and resources in all states and the District of Columbia to provide this comprehensive resource.

May 9, 2024

Early Education (P-3), High School, K-12, Postsecondary, Workforce

50-State Comparison

Nationwide

AI and Data Systems, Governance

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Resources Found

50-State Comparison: Statewide Admissions Policies

50-State Comparison: K-12 Governance

50-State Comparison: State Data Dictionaries and Manuals

50-State Comparison: Free and Compulsory School Age Requirements

50-State Comparison: Postsecondary Education Funding

50-State Comparison: Teacher Recruitment and Retention

50-State Comparison: Developmental Education Policies

50-State Comparison: Early Care and Education Governance

50-State Comparison: School Accountability Systems

50-State Comparison: Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems