Education Research Sources
Article & Journal Databases
ERIC
This is a national education database sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. Presently the largest education database in the world, ERIC contains over 1,000,000 citations covering research documents, journal articles, technical reports, program descriptions and evaluations, and curricular materials in the field of education. In addition to ERIC subject descriptors and extensive abstracts, limited full-text access to selected items is available. Covers 1966-present.
Statistical Sources
Digest of Education Statistics
The Digest of Education Statistics is the official U.S. authority for statistics on almost every aspect of education.
Illinois State Board of Education: Data Analysis and Progress Reporting
Offers statistics, reports, and data on schools in the state.
Illinois School Report Cards
Also from the Illinois State Board of Education, search for report cards for individual schools from 1998 forward, and for districts and the state as a whole from 2002 forward. These reports provide detailed information on student scores on standardized tests, and also present an overview of the schools’ student population and district finances. They are useful tools for assessing the performance of the schools where you might be student teaching.
Websites
Selected Education Websites
The Social Sciences, Health, and Education Library’s list of useful websites for research and current awareness in education issues.
Illinois School Reform Resource Locator
The School Reform Resource Locator provides access to and information about school reform initiatives in the state of Illinois, including local initiatives, as well as national school reform efforts at the kindergarten through grade 12 levels. Each site has been reviewed and annotated by a member of the Illinois Cooperative Collection Management Program.