08 January 2009
Online Resources for Education Information
U.S. Government Web Sites
Accreditation in the United States
This U.S. Department of Education site offers an overview of the accreditation of institutions of higher education. The goal of accreditation is to ensure that education provided by institutions of higher education meets acceptable levels of quality. A database of accredited institutions and programs is available on this site.
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
This U.S. State Department bureau fosters mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries, largely through educational and cultural exchanges. It includes the International Visitor Leadership Program, Fulbright Program, other student exchange opportunities, and youth exchange programs, among others.
College Navigator
From the Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics — a searchable database of nearly 7,000 colleges and universities in the United States. The site also links to information on preparing for college, financial aid and career choices.
Education Resource Organizations Directory
This directory from the Department of Education enables teachers, librarians, researchers and students to search for educational resource organizations and services at the state, regional and national levels.
Education Resources Information Center Database
ERIC is one of the largest digital repositories of journal article citations and other educational materials, including research reports, conference proceedings and policy papers. Much of the non-journal material is available full-text. ERIC is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education.
EducationUSA
The portal page from the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs provides comprehensive information about higher education in the United States, including a multi-part publication in various languages, If You Want to Study in the United States.
Federal Resources for Educational Excellence
FREE is a group of more than 30 federal agencies providing access to hundreds of federally supported teaching and learning resources.
National Center for Education Statistics
NCES, part of the U.S. Department of Education, is the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to education in the United States and other nations. This Web site is the place to find annual reports, data tables, survey products and other research for all levels of education.
Open Courseware Consortium
This is a collaboration of more than 200 higher education institutions and associated organizations from around the world offering free online access to educational materials.
Student Visas
This Department of State site describes the types of student visas, how to obtain one and general information about visa policy.
U.S. Department of Education
The mission of this cabinet-level department is “to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.” The department was created in 1980 by combining offices from several federal agencies (see Overview for its structure and functions). Note that Web pages from the U.S. Department of Education are described elsewhere in this list.
U.S. Network for Education Information
A Department of Education resource for the international community seeking to understand the mission, organization and structure of the U.S. educational system and to find information on academic study programs in the United States. Material about education systems in other countries is also available.
Selected White House Initiatives:
• Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans
• Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities
• Initiative on Tribal Colleges and Universities
Additional Resources from the State Department’s Bureau of International Information Programs
Choosing a Career (eJournal USA, December 2008)
USA Education in Brief (publication, September 2008)
Historians on America (publication, September 2007)
World Youth Building a Future (eJournal USA, July 2007)
USA History in Brief (publication, March 2007)
College and University Education in the U.S. (eJournal USA, November 2005)
Outline of U.S. History (publication, November 2005)
See You in the U.S.A. (eJournal USA, September 2005)
American Teenagers (eJournal USA, July 2005)
Outline of U.S. Government (publication, September 2000)
America.gov (Web site)
Education: Driving Tomorrow’s Achievements (Web site)
Student Corner (Web site)
Nongovernmental Organizations and Other Resources
American Council on Education
ACE, the major coordinating body for the entire spectrum of U.S. higher education institutions, provides leadership and a unifying voice on key higher education issues.
American Association of Community Colleges
This is the primary advocacy organization for America’s 1,173 public and independent community colleges.
Council on International Educational Exchange
CIEE, a nonprofit organization, creates and administers programs that allow U.S. high school and university students and educators to study and teach abroad, and facilitates work, travel and training programs in the United States for international students and teachers.
Education Commission of the States
The Education Commission of the States is a nonprofit, nonpartisan interstate organization that facilitates the exchange of information, ideas and experiences among state policymakers and education leaders from all levels of the U.S. education system. The Web site provides documents, facts and lists of links on a wide range of education topics.
eduPASS! The SmartStudent Guide to Studying in the USA
Among other topics, this site provides information for international students on college admissions, passports and visas, traveling to and living in the United States, and a discussion of cultural customs and differences.
eGranary Digital Library
The eGranary Digital Library places Internet resources on a server on university campuses in developing countries that have little or no Internet connectivity. The materials can be accessed by patrons over their local area networks at no cost. It is a part of the University of Iowa’s WiderNet Project.
GEM (Gateway to Educational Materials)
A nonprofit consortium providing database access to thousands of lesson plans and other educational resources found on various federal, state, university, nonprofit and commercial Internet sites.
Global SchoolNet Foundation
This nonprofit organization brings teachers and students together worldwide to participate in collaborative online learning projects. Among other projects, it co-sponsors and manages the State Department’s annual Doors to Diplomacy contest, which challenges students worldwide to create Web sites that teach the importance of international affairs and diplomacy.
Hobsons U.S. Education Guides
Information for students interested in studying in the U.S. includes overviews and articles on choosing schools, preparing for study in the U.S., understanding U.S. culture and exploring “A Day in the Life of a U.S. Student.”
Institute of International Education
An independent nonprofit founded in 1919, IIE is an experienced leader in international education and training programs, with 18,000 men and women from 175 nations participating in IIE programs each year. Among its research and evaluation products is its flagship project, Open Doors, a critical resource for understanding student mobility trends to and from the U.S.
International Education Service
IES assists students in finding an appropriate college or university in the U.S. The site includes a listing of universities and colleges interested in attracting students from abroad as well as information for educational advisors.
NAFSA: The Association of International Educators
NAFSA promotes exchanges of students and scholars to and from the U.S. The nonprofit association provides professional education and training and acts as a forum for sharing ideas on international education.
Peterson's Guide for International Students
A description of higher education in the United States, types of U.S. institutions, the academic calendar and advice on how to apply to a college or university.
Study Abroad.com
This portal offers links for study abroad programs for both U.S. students and non-U.S. students. It offers links to English language instruction programs throughout the United States.
Test of English as a Foreign Language
TOEFL measures the ability of nonnative speakers of English to use and understand North American English as it is spoken, written and heard in college and university settings. TOEFL's site includes a registration center, sample questions, test preparation tips, worldwide locations of test centers and other information.
RSS Feed
