A

Achievement gap See Gap.

Achievement levels, NAEP Specific achievement levels for each subject area and grade to provide a context for interpreting student performance. At this time they are being used on a trial basis.

NAEP Basic—denotes partial mastery of the knowledge and skills that are fundamental for proficient work at a given grade.

NAEP Proficient—represents solid academic performance. Students reaching this level have demonstrated competency over challenging subject matter.

NAEP Advanced—signifies superior performance.

Active shooter incident An event in which one or more individuals are actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area.

Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) The number of students who graduate in 4 years with a regular high school diploma divided by the number of students who form the adjusted cohort for the graduating class. From the beginning of 9th grade (or the earliest high school grade), students who are entering that grade for the first time form a cohort that is “adjusted” by adding any students who subsequently transfer into the cohort and subtracting any students who subsequently transfer out, emigrate to another country, or die.

Aggravated assault Attack or attempted attack with a weapon, regardless of whether or not an injury occurs, and attack without a weapon when serious injury results.

Arson Willful or malicious burning or attempt to burn a dwelling house, public building, motor vehicle, or personal property of another.

Associate’s degree A degree granted for the successful completion of a sub-baccalaureate program of studies, usually requiring at least 2 years (or equivalent) of full-time college-level study. This includes degrees granted in a cooperative or work-study program.

At/during school At school includes in the school building, on school property, on a school bus, and going to or from school. The National Crime Victimization Survey further specifies that on school property includes on school parking area, play area, school bus, etc. The Fast Response Survey System and the School Survey on Crime and Safety further specify that at school includes at places that held school-sponsored events or activities. Additionally, respondents were instructed to report on activities that occurred during normal school hours or when school activities/events were in session, unless otherwise specified. The School-Associated Violent Death Surveillance System specifies that at school also includes attending or traveling to or from a school-sponsored event. During school includes in the school building, on school property, on a school bus, going to and from school, and using the phone, internet, or social media during the school year.

B

Bachelor’s degree A degree granted for the successful completion of a baccalaureate program of studies, usually requiring at least 4 years (or equivalent) of full-time college-level study. This includes degrees granted in a cooperative or work-study program.

Bullied (School Crime Supplement) Students were asked if any student had bullied them at school in one or more ways during the school year. Specifically, students were asked if another student had made fun of them, called them names, or insulted them; spread rumors about them; threatened them with harm; pushed, shoved, tripped, or spit on them; tried to make them to do something they did not want to do; excluded them from activities on purpose; or destroyed their property on purpose. Since the 2022 survey, the definition has been expanded to include having private information, photos, or videos shared on purpose in a harmful way.

Bullying (School Survey on Crime and Safety) The questionnaire defines bullying as any unwanted aggressive behavior(s) by another youth or group of youths that involves an observed or perceived power imbalance and is repeated multiple times or is highly likely to be repeated. Bullying occurs among youth who are not siblings or “current dating partners.” The term was not defined for respondents in survey administrations prior to 2015–16.

Burglary Unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or theft.

C

Capital outlay Funds for the acquisition of land and buildings; building construction, remodeling, and additions; the initial installation or extension of service systems and other built-in equipment; and site improvement. The category also encompasses architectural and engineering services including the development of blueprints.

Catholic school A private school over which a Roman Catholic church group exercises some control or provides some form of subsidy. Catholic schools for the most part include those operated or supported by a parish, a group of parishes, a diocese, or a Catholic religious order.

Certificate A formal award certifying the satisfactory completion of a postsecondary education program. Certificates can be awarded at any level of postsecondary education and include awards below the associate’s degree level.

Charter school See Public charter school.

Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) A taxonomic coding scheme that contains titles and descriptions of primarily postsecondary instructional programs. It was developed to facilitate NCES collection and reporting of postsecondary degree completions by major field of study using standard classifications that capture the majority of reportable program activity. It was originally published in 1980 and was revised in 1985, 1990, 2000, and 2010.