Description: The National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 (NELS: 88) collects data on topics such as school, work, and home experiences; educational resources and support; the role in education of their parents and peers; neighborhood characteristics; educational and occupational aspirations; and other student perceptions. For the three in-school waves of data collection (when most were eighth-graders, sophomores, or seniors), achievement tests were also administered in reading, social studies, mathematics, and science.

Population: Nationally representative sample of students who were in eighth grade in 1988. Sample of these respondents were resurveyed at four follow-ups in 1990, 1992, 1994, and 2000. Teachers, parents, and school administrators also surveyed to add further detail to data.

Periodicity: Data collected and available for baseline and all follow-ups (1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, and 2000).

(Information adapted from the publisher)

For more information, please see the Compendium of Family-Self Sufficiency Databases.