Highest level of education attained by persons 25 years old and over in March 2006:

8.7 percent: associate's degree

18.3 percent: bachelor's degree

6.8 percent: master's degree

1.3 percent: doctorate

Source: National Center for Education Statistics/U.S. Department of Education

AROUND THE U.S.A.

MORE TAKING ADVANCED PLACEMENT EXAMS

Between 1999 and 2005, the number of students taking Advanced Placement exams increased by 75 percent, from 686,000 to 1,197,000. In 2005, 60 percent of U.S. high schools offered AP courses. Students who take AP courses in high school are eligible to take AP exams and may earn college credit for scores above a minimum threshold.

Between 1999 and 2005, the number of minority students taking AP exams increased by 81 percent, while the number of non-minority students taking the exams increased by 71 percent.

Source: The College Board, 2005/U.S. Department of Education

PIVOTAL ROLE

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE AIMED AT HELPING PARENTS

In light of the role parents play in their children's lives as their first teachers, the U.S. Department of Education plans to release this fall a new resource. The free Empowering Parents School Box includes brochures, bookmarks, a poster and a door hanger on: