Back to School -- As The Census Sees It

Some figures relating to U.S. school enrollments in October 1995:

Who’s in School

Nursery school

* Total number of students: 4.4 million

* Proportion: s nearly half (45%) of all 3 and 4 year olds

* Proportion in 1968: one in 10

Elementary School

* Number of children enrolled: about 32 million

* Number of enrolled in 1985: 27 million

High School

* Number enrolled: about 15 million

College

* Number enrolled: 14.7 million

* Number of undergraduates: 12 million

* Undergraduates in four-year-colleges: 8.1 million

* Percentage attending a public institution: 75%

* Percentage holding down a job: 62%

* Percentage working full time: 32%

Nursery School Mothers

Nursery school attendence is linked to the mother’s level of education and labor-force statuus. The chart below shows the percentage of 3 and 4 year olds enrolled by mother’s level of education and labor-force status:

Level of Education

Not a high school graduate 26%

High school graduate 38%

Some college 51%

Bachelor’s degree or higher 62%

*

Labor Force Status

Not in labor force 40%

In labor force 48%

High School Comparisons

Of the nearly 15 million high school students enrolled:

Percentage attending a private school:

1995: 8%

1963: 10%

Percentage of 15-to17-year-olds enrolled below the appropriate grade level for their ages:

1995: 33%

1980: 23%

How Education Pays Off

1995 Mean Earnings by Educational Attainment and Sex For Full-Time Workers Ages 18 and Over.

Education: Not high school graduate

Mean Earnings: Both Sexes: $20,442

Mean Earnings: Men: $22,454

Mean Earnings: Women: $16,049

*

Education: High school Graduates

Mean Earnings: Both Sexes: $27,038

Mean Earnings: Men: $31,063

Mean Earnings: Women: $21,298

*

Education: Some College, no Degree

Mean Earnings: Both Sexes: $31,128

Mean Earnings: Men: $36,546

Mean Earnings: Women: $23,298

*

Education: Assocaiate Degree

Mean Earnings: Both Sexes: $33,425

Mean Earnings: Men: $37,628

Mean Earnings: Women: $28,510

*

Education: Bachelor’s Degree

Mean Earnings: Both Sexes: $44,523

Mean Earnings: Men: $51,998

Mean Earnings: Women: $33,665

*

Education: Master’s Degree

Mean Earnings: Both Sexes: $55,384

Mean Earnings: Men: $64,544

Mean Earnings: Women: $41,676

*

Education: Doctorate Degree

Mean Earnings: Both Sexes: $72,099

Mean Earnings: Men: $77,815

Mean Earnings: Women: $55,041

*

Education: Professional Degree

Mean Earnings: Both Sexes: $98,197

Mean Earnings: Men: $111,654

Mean Earnings: Women: $59,793

Source: United States Bureau of the Census

Looking Ahead...

Changes anticipated between 1996 and 2006

* Increase in total enrollment in public and private schools: from 51.7 million to 54.6 million

* Increase in public high school enrollment: 17%

* Increase in high school graduates: 17% (but almost 30% in Western states)

* Rise in college enrollment: 14%

* Needed to maintain current K-12 student services: 190,000 additional teachers; 6,000 more schools; $15 billion in additional annual operating funds.

Source: U.S. Department of Education