Stats That Stick: March 9, 2011

The U.S. Department of Education estimates that 82 percent of America’s schools could fail to meet education goals set by No Child Left Behind this year. –U.S. Department of Education

In 1988, 57% of middle and high school students said it was very likely they would go to college. By 1997, this level had increased to 67%. Today, 75% say it is very likely they will go to college. On average, teachers predict that 63% of their students will graduate high school ready for college without the need for remedial coursework, and that 51% of their students will graduate from college.
–MetLife

Los Angeles has increased the average size of its ninth-grade English and math classes to 34 from 20. Eleventh- and 12th-grade classes in those two subjects have risen, on average, to 43 students. –New York Times

Seventy seven percent oppose significant funding cuts to federal education programs including No Child Left Behind, Head Start, and subsidies for college loans. –Bloomberg News National Poll