In the 2019-2020 academic year, around 11 million college or high school students were enrolled in vocational education programs. These programs allow students to develop skills for a specific profession, such as nursing or a skilled trade. Vocational education is often discussed as an alternative to university degree programs. What careers does vocational education train students for? Is it a good alternative to a four-year college degree? How does choosing a vocational path versus a traditional university degree impact student debt?

Schools have always used standardized tests to evaluate student progress. Although many colleges and universities have made tests optional, many still use standardized tests for admissions. One of the newer practices is using standardized tests by federal and state governments to monitor student performance in specific subject areas and assign ratings to local schools. These mandated tests are our focus here. What is their purpose, and how do they influence what students learn?

While political opponents sometimes accuse each other of treason, the definition of the crime has nothing to do with politics. Rather, the crime of treason is set out in a statute known as the Espionage Act. This brief describes the provisions of the Espionage Act and gives examples of the kinds of crimes that have been prosecuted under the Espionage Act. Additional information on classified documents can be found in our Classified Information policy brief linked in the Further Reading section.