Guide to Sources in Education
Location of Materials | Call Numbers | Guides to Education Sources | Article & Journal Databases | Directories | College & University Rankings | Background Information: Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, & Handbooks | Yearbooks | Education Standards | Statistical Sources & Datasets| Biographical Sources
Location of Materials
All titles listed in this guide are located in the Social Sciences, Health, and Education Library (SSHEL) Reference Collection unless otherwise noted. The location SSHEL RCC indicates the item is held in the SSHEL Reference Circulating Collection.
Call Numbers
Call numbers are groups of numbers and/or letters that classify library items by subject. Items are arranged on bookshelves by call number. The Social Sciences, Health, and Education Library (SSHEL) uses both the Dewey Decimal and Library of Congress classification systems.
Lists of information sources such as books, journals, websites, and databases about a specific subject, with corresponding brief descriptions.
Cabell’s Directory of Publishing Opportunities in Educational Curriculum and Methods. (online)
A searchable directory of academic journals with information on editorial and submission policies designed to help researchers and academics find the most appropriate journal in which to publish manuscripts. Each entry provides the editor’s name and contact information. They also provide information on the review process, publication information, manuscript specifications, and aims and scopes of the journal. A companion directory provides similar information for Educational Psychology and Administration Educational Technology and Library Science.
011.02 B983e 2000
Education: A Guide to Reference and Information Sources. 2nd ed. 2000. (Main Stacks and online)
Provides information about key reference and information resources in the field of education. It is divided into 14 categories that reflect different aspects of education, which are then further divided into subcategories by type of publication (journals, dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc.). The entries each contain bibliographic information and an annotation describing the resource. Includes author, title, and subject indexes. This is a test change.
Article & Journal Databases
Databases are structured sets of information, stored in print or online. Often, databases are online collections of journal article citations and full text. Find articles about a specific topic by using keywords, subject headings, authors, and more.
Education Full Text. 1983 -. (online)
Education Full Text is a database that indexes and abstracts articles from English-language periodicals and yearbooks published in the United States and elsewhere. Books relating to education published in 1995 or later are also indexed. Complemented by Education Index Retrospective (1929-1983).
ERIC (online)
ERIC is a national education database sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. Presently the largest education database in the world, ERIC contains over 1,600,000 records covering research documents, journal articles, technical reports, program descriptions and evaluations, and other materials in the field of education. It also includes abstracts and selective full text.
Higher Education Abstracts. 1965-. (online)
Abstracts from journals, conference proceedings, and research reports pertaining to the participants, functions, and environments of higher education.
Australian Education Index 1977-. (online)
The Australian Education Index is a comprehensive collection of educational research documents relating to educational trends, policy, and practices. The database is produced by the Australian Council for Educational Research and is Australia’s largest source of education information for Pacific Rim and Oceania coverage of trends and practices in teaching, learning and educational management.
Professional Development Collection (online)
Identifies articles about education and related fields for professional educators. Indexes over 500 full text journals, including nearly 350 peer-reviewed titles. Full text information in the Professional Development Collection dates as far back as 1965.
Directories
Directories are a list of organizations, groups, people, places, or other data systematically arranged often alphabetically or by location.
General
LC3965 .G538 2015
The Big Book of Special Education Resources. 2nd ed. 2015.
This diverse resource contains many different types of information, such as lesson plans, addresses and phone numbers for federal agencies, and lists of books, videos, and journals about topics in special education.
371.910973 C738
The Complete Learning Disabilities Directory. 20th ed. 2017. (Main Stacks)
Provides information about learning disabilities of all types, as well as discusses what to what to look for in diagnosing a learning disability and treatment options. It features a glossary, geographical, subject, and name indexes, and multiple resources ranging from programs, media, schools, and government agencies.
Directory of Curriculum Materials Centers. 7th ed. 2015. (online)
Guide to curriculum centers, laboratories, libraries, and collections in the United States and Canada that support professional programs in teacher education. Entries are organized by state and include addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, and collection information for each center. An institution index is also provided.
L901 .E443 2022
Educators Resource Guide. 14th ed. 2021.
This volume provides a comprehensive overview of educational resources, statistics, and rankings for educators, administrators, and other education professionals. It is divided into three central sections: “Resources,” which contains resources ranging from contact information for associations and publishers to listings of software, hardware, internet, and testing resources; “National & State Statistics,” which provides statistics regarding educational attainment, elementary and secondary education, outcomes of education, and postsecondary education; and “Indexes,” which includes an entry and publisher index, geographic index, and subject index. This volume also contains a glossary of education terms and a section with Canadian Education Statistics.
Europa World of Learning. 2006-. (online)
Arranged alphabetically by country, institution, and subject, this guide contains full directory details for learned societies, research institutes, libraries, archives, museums, art galleries, universities, colleges, and other institutions of higher education.
371.13 W82r1
Requirements for Certification of Teachers, Counselors, Librarians, Administrators for Elementary and Secondary Schools. 1935-.
Provides the local and regional differences and changes for each of the 50 states with respect to the certification of teachers, administrators, counselors, and librarians.
Primary, Elementary and Secondary Education
373.73 H19
The Handbook of Private Schools. 1915-. (Main Stacks and online)
Provides information on 1,800 elementary and secondary boarding and day schools in the U.S. and contains an alphabetical index of schools.
Q. 370 P27
Patterson’s American Education. 1904-. (Oak Street)
A comprehensive directory of public and private secondary schools, including selected colleges, universities, and special schools. School systems arranged by state, then town. A list of post-secondary institutions classified by subject is also provided.
Q. 372.02573 P277
Patterson’s Elementary Education. 1989-. (Main Stacks)
Directory of American public and private elementary schools. Entries are alphabetized within each state by community and by school type. Private and church-affiliated schools are separate from public institutions.
Higher Education
378.73 C569
A Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. 1994-. (Main Stacks and online)
This resource divides U.S. colleges and universities into seven broad classes (Doctoral Universities, Master’s Colleges and Universities, Baccalaureate Colleges, Associate’s Colleges, Special Focus Two-Year, Special Focus Four-Year, and Tribal Colleges). Within these classes the institutions are listed by state. Includes an index in alphabetical order by name of the institution.
Commonwealth Universities Yearbook. 1914-. (Main Stacks, Oak Street, and online)
Contains information on universities of all the nations of the British commonwealth. A general index and name index are provided.
378.73 H412a
Higher Education Directory. 1983-.
This directory of accredited, degree-granting institutions of post-secondary education includes college and university listings by state with institutional characteristics and administrative officers; an alphabetical index of administrators “with their most direct phone number;” an index of regional, national, professional, and specialized accreditation agencies; and an alphabetic index of institutions.
Q. 923.7 N21
National Faculty Directory . 1970-. (Main Stacks, Oak Street, and online)
Provides an alphabetical listing of U.S. and Canadian college, junior college, and university faculty. No biographical information included.
Q. 378.16 C832 2004-2011.
The New Country Index. Making Sense of International Credentials. 2004-.
Provides information about the educational systems of over 150 countries, focusing on credentials and recommendations regarding the United States equivalents of each credential. Useful for interpreting the educational backgrounds of foreign persons for program admission, licensing and hiring, and for statements of educational equivalencies.
College & University Rankings
Various sources of statistical and reputational rankings of colleges and universities.
378.73 Am35201a
Best Colleges. 1988-. (online)
Provides a ranking of top colleges and universities in the United States. It also includes articles on how to choose, apply, and pay for colleges. Older editions are listed under America’s Best Colleges.
378.15530257 Am351b
Best Graduate Schools. 2003-. (online)
Provides articles about graduate schools in the United States and rankings in law, business, medicine, engineering, social sciences & humanities, sciences, public affairs, fine arts, and education. It also includes articles about how to choose, apply, and pay for schooling, as well as a directory and index.
College and University Rankings Website. (online)
This website offers links to sites providing rankings of undergraduate, graduate/research programs, law, business, and international education. It also provides a bibliography of materials on College and University Rankings, as well as materials that discuss controversies and cautions about rankings.
LB2817.3.C66 2018
The Comparative Guide to American Elementary and Secondary Schools. 10th ed. 2018.
This guide includes statistics of all public school districts serving 1,500 or more students. Organized by state, it contains listings of the public school educational profile, NAEP Test Scores, District Profiles, and District Rankings. In addition to the state rankings and orders, there are national comparisons and rankings. Also includes index of city names.
379.154 Ed833
Education at a Glance: OECD Indicators. 1992-.
Includes indicators from 30 OECD member countries on demographics; social and economic contexts; costs and human and financial resources; access, participation, and progression; school environment and school/classroom processes; graduate output of institutions; student achievement and adult literacy; and labor market outcomes.
Q. 378 W894
Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings. 2012-.
Lists the top 100 universities from around the world by reputation. Over 10,000 responses to the survey from 138 countries determined the 2018 rankings. In addition to the rankings, the 2018 edition also includes articles on global trends in higher education.
378 W89 2015-16
Times Higher Education World University Rankings. 2004-.
This supplemental publication compiles the annual world university rankings of Times Higher Education, with data collected, analyzed, and verified by Thomson Reuters. The rankings employ 13 separate performance indicators, drawing on about 50 million journal citations and a survey of almost 60,000 respondents (since 2010). Includes data/statistics tables and articles summarizing and analyzing the information, and organizes rankings both generally and by subject area. Includes discussion of methods.
378.73 T62
The Top American Research Universities. 2000-. (Main Stacks and online)
Presents the latest rankings of U.S. institutions of higher education from the Center for Measuring University Performance (MUP). This report presents data tables examining the top 50 universities and the top 25 medical and specialized research universities nationally. It lists institutions that had more than $40 million in federal research expenditures and examines them related to expenditures, endowments, and other factors. The top 200 institutions are highlighted in data tables for recent years. Data and source notes are included. All data are available for download in Excel spreadsheets from the “University Data” page on the MUP website.
Background Information: Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, & Handbooks
Background information can be found in reference sources, online or in print, such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, and handbooks. Dictionaries contain brief definitions, usually only a sentence or two in length. Encyclopedias provide a more in-depth description, usually a few paragraphs in length. Handbooks contain descriptions that can be multiple pages and describe the development and future of a subject.
Dictionaries
LB15 .D483 2015
A Dictionary of Education. 2nd ed. 2015. (Oak Street)
This dictionary presents brief definitions of key terms in the field of education from the early 20th to the 21st centuries. It provides information about legislative acts, British trends in education policy and philosophy, comparison of international standards of learning, curriculum orientations, and institutional competency. Entries often include links to websites and recommendations for further reading. It also includes a timeline of important historical developments in the United Kingdom in the last century and an appendix with educational legislation in other English-speaking countries.
Encyclopedia of Terminology for Educational Communications and Technology. 2013. (online)
Written for both scholars and practitioners, this volume provides scholarly definitions and short discussions of approximately 180 key terms in the field. Each entry includes key aspects of the term, alternative views and interpretations of the term, and future trends. The definition discussions are supported with relevant literature from educational communications and technology-related fields.
370.3 G856 2011
The Greenwood Dictionary of Education. 2011. (online)
A comprehensive dictionary for a variety of subjects within education. It provides more than 3,500 terms, acronyms, and initialisms that are in contemporary use and understanding. It also includes a preface and a bibliography for the definitions.
370.3 L552l
Learning Theories, A to Z. 2002.
Defines over 500 terms that relate to learning theories and environments. Organized alphabetically, it provides information on learning theories about K-12 education, higher education, industrial education, and training environments. Each of the terms is divided into the following categories: cognitivism, constructivism, behaviorism, and humanism.
Encyclopedias
Q. 371.82996 En192
Encyclopedia of African American Education. 2 vols. 2010. (online)
Provides information on different facets of the African American educational experience, including history, legislation and policy, specific institutions, and social factors that impact educational experiences and success. Articles are signed, cross-referenced, and contain reference lists. Volume 1 contains a Reader’s Guide that organizes entries by topic and an alphabetical listing of entries. Volume 2 contains a complete bibliography, a selection of reprinted articles from The Journal of Negro Education from 1932-2008, and an index.
Q. 370.117 En192
Encyclopedia of Diversity in Education. 4 vols. 2012.
Provides over 700 alphabetically arranged entries about diversity in education written by international academics and experts presenting research, statistics, case studies, best practices, policies, and programs. Volume 4 also contains a chronology of key events and publications related to diversity and education.
Q. 370.3 En193 2003
The Encyclopedia of Education. 8 vols. 2003. (online)
Provides detailed explanations for many of the terms and concepts related to the study of education. In addition to the general information provided by this source, its 8th volume provides detailed entries for court cases, legislation, and international agreements that have influenced the history of education.
LB2824 .E53 2014
Encyclopedia of Education Economics & Finance. 2 vols. 2014.
Aims to help administrators, teachers, students, and economists understand and analyze the behavior of schools, districts, states, and nations through the lens of economics. This volume contains 300-350 signed entries by experts in the field of education and is organized alphabetically by topic. It also includes a thematic “Reader’s Guide,” which groups related entries by topic, a resources appendix, and a comprehensive index.
The International Encyclopedia of Higher Education Systems and Institutions. 2020. (online)
Covers a wide variety of themes in higher education, including higher education as a global reality, research field, and multidimensional institution, as well as analyses on the political economy of higher education and the state of the institution in the 21st century. Also reviews higher education from diverse geographical perspectives.
344.730703 E564
Encyclopedia of Education Law. 2008. 2 vols. (Main Stacks and online)
Contains alphabetical entries in the field of education law, primarily focused on developments since Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka et al. Entries include citations and cross-references where applicable. It also provides a list of entries, a reader’s guide, and an index.
Q. LC4007 .E53 2014
Encyclopedia of Special Education: A Reference for the Education of Children, Adolescents, and Adults With Disabilities and Other Exceptional Individuals. 4 vols. 4th ed. 2014. (online)
Excellent source for basic, summative information for those concerned with the education of exceptional people and their special characteristics, needs and problems. Over 2,000 entries cover biographies, educational and psychological tests, interventions and service delivery, disabling conditions, technologies, organizations and journals, related services, and legal, global, and miscellaneous topics. Entries include additional references.
378.1982 B7914h
Historically Black Colleges and Universities: An Encyclopedia. 2011. (online)
Traces the history of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and discusses events that have impacted their origins, growth, and sustainment. Includes information about individuals and organizations founded at HBCUs and their impact on the cultural, economic, political, and social history of the U.S. Contains profiles of HBCUs arranged by founding date. Includes tables of two- and four-year accredited HBCUs as of 2010, a timeline of events, notable alumni, primary documents, further resources, and an index.
Q. LB15 .I565 2013
International Education: An Encyclopedia of Contemporary Issues and Systems. 2 vols. 2013.
Focuses on educational structures worldwide, access to education, the influence of poverty on educational attainment, the gender gap, and child labor issues. Section I examines sociopolitical and cultural issues, issues of gender, topics in formal and informal education, curricular issues, intellectual and motor skill development, technology, and educational institutions. Section II examines educational systems around the globe, organized by continent and country. Also included are a glossary, index, and bibliographical references throughout.
International Encyclopedia of Education. 3rd ed. 2010. (online)
121 subject classification entries are arranged alphabetically within 27 “mega-fields,” including adult education, educational assessment, teacher education, and technology and learning. This work can be searched by keywords or browsed by subject classification, author, article title, and subject index. Subject index provides extensive, linked cross-references.
418.0071 R765 2012
Routledge Encyclopedia of Language Teaching and Learning. 2nd ed. 2013. (online)
Provides extensive explanations/descriptions of issues and terms related to this field and is geared toward teachers and education researchers. Each entry includes references for further reading, while many also include graphs and illustrations. This work additionally includes a list of contributors, alphabetical and thematic lists of entries, and an index.
Q.LB3013 .S237 2015
SAGE Encyclopedia of Classroom Management. 2 vols. 2015.
These volumes cover a variety of topics relating to classroom management. A reader’s guide in each volume contains lists of entries related to broader topics, such as assessment, diversity, history, instruction, and problem behaviors. An index for both volumes is included in volume 2.
SAGE Encyclopedia of Contemporary Early Childhood Education. 3 vols. 2016. (online)
Presents advanced research, accurate practical applications of research, historical foundations, and key facts from the field of contemporary early childhood education, which covers birth to eight years of age. Includes 10 lengthy anchor essays, a reader’s guide, and a list of entries in alphabetical order with cross-references.
Sage Encyclopedia of Educational Research, Measurement, and Evaluation. 2018. (online)
Contains nearly 700 signed entries about various aspects of educational research, measurement, and evaluation. This comprehensive resource addresses both traditional areas of study and future developments in this field. Entries are organized A-to-Z and include both bibliographical and cross-references. This work also includes the following: a reader’s guide that groups entries thematically; a chronology of the development of the field; a resource guide to classic books, journals, and associations; and a detailed index.
Handbooks
379.14 D569 2009
A Digest of Supreme Court Decisions Affecting Education. 5th ed. 2009.
Focuses on U.S. Supreme Court cases directly affecting students and staff in public and private schools from kindergarten through grade 12. The topics address school district governance and finance, the church-state relationship in education, student rights and responsibilities, employee rights and responsibilities, discrimination, disability, national origin, race and sex issues, civil rights cases, special rules, and procedural parameters.
The Education Systems of Europe. 2015. (online)
Provides analytical descriptions of all European education systems. Arranged alphabetically by country, each chapter presents information about the history and socio-cultural context of the education system, as well as the organizational and governmental context. Extensive references conclude each chapter and a statistical profile of the education systems of Europe is included.
The Handbook of Global Education Policy. 2016. (online)
Provides an overview of the ways that domestic education policies are informed by global institutions. This handbook surveys current debates and issues in the field and contains extensive bibliographies at the end of each chapter. Name, place, and subject indexes are also included.
428.4072 H191
Handbook of Reading Research. 5 vols. 1984, 1991, 2000, 2011, 2020. (online)
Volume I is a comprehensive summarization, analysis, and interpretation of the cumulative research in reading through 1984. Volume II, which is intended as a companion volume and not an update to the 1984 handbook, presents key concepts in reading research in sections entitled: society and literacy, task and format variables in reading research, constructs of reader process, and literacy and schooling. Volume III covers literacy research around the world, methods of literacy research, literacy processes, literacy practices, and literacy policies. Volume IV addresses the nature, conduct, and validity of reading research. Volume V looks at the purpose of reading research, the influence of school structures, policies, and contexts on student learning, and the broader impact of reading research. Each volume includes author and subject indexes.
Handbook of Research on Emerging Priorities and Trends in Distance Education: Communication, Pedagogy, and Technology. 2014. (online)
Focuses on identifying, categorizing, and ranking future trends in research, priorities, and needs of distance education students. Answers questions of a communicative, pedagogical, and technological nature that are specific challenges on a global scale.
KF1590 .Z9 B72 2018
Illinois School Law Survey. 15th ed. 2018-2020.
Covers laws and regulations currently in effect pertaining to Illinois public schools. Individual entries are in Q&A format, as they are intended to provide simple answers to school-related legal questions for lay people. Each entry provides a citation for the court case or law on which the answer is based. The volume contains a short “how to use” guide, list of abbreviations used in legal citations, a table of cases, and an index.
LB2806.15 .I595 2014
International Handbook of Curriculum Research. 2nd ed. 2014. (Oak Street)
Contains 39 essays on curriculum studies in 34 countries. Additionally, there are five introductory essays, a section of contributor biographies, and a comprehensive index included.
International Handbook of Educational Leadership and Social (In)Justice. Vol. 1. 2014. (online)
Addresses the meanings of social justice and leadership. Draws from a variety of educational subfields including educational leadership, higher education academic networks, special education, health education, teacher education, professional development, policy analyses, and multicultural education.
344.73074 K141l 2019
The Law of Higher Education: A Comprehensive Guide to Legal Implication of Administrative Decision Making. 6th ed. 2 vols. 2019. (online)
Provides foundational information, in-depth analysis, and practical suggestions on a wide range of legal issues faced by public and private institutions of higher education. Discussions draw on relevant court opinions, constitutional provisions, statutes, administrative regulations, and related developments. Each section includes a select bibliography. Multiple indexes are also provided.
Yearbooks
Yearbooks are an annual compilation of facts and statistics on a particular subject for the preceding year.
Educational Media and Technology Yearbook. Vol. 43. 2020. (online)
The yearbook is themed around the use of technology to enable or enhance education. It notes current trends in the field of learning design and technology and implications for both formal and informal learning. Profiles of leaders in the field, a mediagraphy, and an index are also included.
370.78 R32
Review of Research in Education. 1973-. (SSHEL RCC and online)
Published annually by the American Educational Research Association. Compiles articles that synthesize and evaluate scholarship in the field of education. This is also a valuable source of bibliographies on a variety of education-related topics.
370.6 NAser.2
Yearbook of the National Society for the Study of Education. 1901-. (SSHEL RCC, SSHEL Stacks, and online)
Published annually in two volumes since 1901. Each volume discusses an educational issue or problem. Includes name and subject indexes, as well as a list of publications of the society. Individual volumes may also be available online. As of 2016, the yearbook is published as numbers 13 and 14 of each annual volume of Teachers College Record.”
Education Standards
Education standards define the knowledge and skills students should possess at critical points in their educational careers.
Education Standards. (online)
Created by the Social Sciences, Health, and Education Library. Provides resources and links to sites that define educational standards in different levels and areas, such as General Standards, State Standards, Subject Standards, and Teaching Standards
LC3969. 45. C69 2015
What Every Special Educator Must Know: Professional Ethics and Standards. 7th ed. 2015.
This guide was developed in collaboration with the Council for Exceptional Children and education professionals. The famous “Red Book” covers ethics, standards, and guidelines, including standards for professional practice and professional preparation. It is designed to provide information for “programs seeking CEC National Recognition, faculty developing curriculum, state policy makers evaluating licensure and certification requirements, and all special educators planning their professional growth”.
Statistical Sources and Datasets
Statistical sources contain numerical facts or data. A dataset is a collection of data.
The American Freshman: National Norms. 1966-. (online)
Annual report of national normative data on the characteristics of American college freshmen. Includes an overview of the latest results, tables of the results, and several appendices describing the research methodology.
370.973 N2132c
The Condition of Education. 1975-. (Main Stacks and online)
A publication of the National Center for Education Statistics. Presents data that measures the health of education, monitors important developments, and shows trends in major aspects of education. Emphasis is on analysis (narrative explication of charts and graphs) as opposed to simple presentation of statistical data.
370.973 Un3d1
Digest of Education Statistics . 1975-. (Main Stacks, Oak Street, and online)
The official U.S. authority for statistics on many aspects of education. This is an extremely useful resource, with data relevant to many research questions.
Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange. 2020. (online)
Contains statistics and analysis regarding international students studying in the U.S. and U.S. students studying abroad. Includes international students’ national origin, field of study, location in the U.S., host institutions types, finances, and personal characteristics. Some topics also include long term trends with statistics from previous decades.
Projections of Education Statistics to… . 1964-. (online)
Provides statistics for such factors as enrollment, graduates, classroom teachers, and expenditures for all levels of education through the next seven years. While much of the data pertains to the national level of education, select information concerning the state level can supplement projections prepared by individual states.
Biographical Sources
Biographical sources provide information about a single person or multiple people.
923.773 B52
Biographical Dictionary of American Educators. 3 vols. 1978.
Recognizes over 1,600 teachers, reformers, theorists, and administrators from colonial times to 1976.
370.922 Oh4b
Biographical Dictionary of Modern American Educators. 1997.
Like its predecessor, Biographical Dictionary of American Educators (1978), this volume focuses on 410 people who made their mark on the field of education in the United States. Each person selected had to have been born before 1935 or is now deceased in order to consider the entire career. Five appendices and an index are included.
370.922 G657b
Biographical Dictionary of North American and European Educationists. 1997.
Companion volume to the Dictionary of British Educationists. It describes the lives and works of some 500 North Americans and European educationists who have been key to shaping modern Western traditions and systems of education. Those included had to be active in the educational field from 1800 onward and none can still be alive today.
370.94103 AL24d
Dictionary of British Educationists. 1989.
This dictionary provides readers with an easily accessible guide to the biographies of approximately 450 educationists. Each person had to have been British, deceased, and influential in the field of British education from the year 1800 onward.
372.210922 P368p
Pioneers of Early Childhood Education: A Bio-Bibliographical Guide. 1998.
Presents brief biographical information about selected leaders in early childhood education. Following a biographical summary of each person’s educational contribution, primary and secondary sources of information for further study are listed. A chronological list of pre-modern and modern pioneers is appended, as is a bibliography and index.