
WELCOME TO CARE's UNDERSTANDING AMERICA STUDY EDUCATION PROJECT
The CESR Center for Applied Research in Education (CARE)'s UAS Education Project focuses on collecting data from the subset of UAS panel households with at least one preK-12 child and/or at least one postsecondary student. Data collection began in March 2020 through the “Understanding Coronavirus in America" tracking survey, and continues through a series of stand-alone surveys and additions to periodic Covid survey waves.
This page provides easy access to UAS Education Project data, documentation, and publications. Scroll down for a list of publications, downloadable data files, and methodology and crosstab reports.
In addition, since October 2020, CARE's UAS Education Project has been collecting data describing K-12 students’ learning mode (i.e. in-person, remote, hybrid), proportion of schools enrolled in person, parent attendance preferences, and school mitigation policies including mask-wearing. To view graphs visualizing the data, overall and by parent subgroups (e.g. race/ethnicity, family income), click go to http://covid19pulse.usc.edu/ and choose “K-12” from the “Suggested graphs” drop-down menu.
PUBLICATIONS
A variety of outlets have published articles about and/or using education data collected through the UAS Understanding Coronavirus in America Study. Please use the links below to explore results and their policy implications.
K-12
- USC Dornsife CESR / USC Rossier report on The Kids Are All Right? What Parents Really Think About How COVID Affected Children
- EdSource article on how Many families don't know how much the pandemic harmed their child's learning
- Evidence Base article on how two Percent of U.S. Children Receive High Quality Tutoring, Despite Billions Funneled into School Systems (December 2022 data)
- Evidence Base article on a national survey's findings shedding light on dimensions of teen mental health concerns (April 2022 data)
- Harvard Usable Knowledge article on how lines have Been drawn, a loud minority has been heard, now what? (August- September 2022 data)
- The Hechinger Report opinion on how most Americans don't believe young kids should read or learn LGBTQ themes (August- September 2022 data)
- New York Times article on 'Channeling the Mama Bear': How Covid Closures Became Today's Curriculum Wars (August- September 2022 data)
- Time Magazine article on how most Americans think parents should be able to opt their kids out of learning things they disagree with and how that is terrifying (August- September 2022 data)
- Fordham Institute article on the question of whether we must battle over civics education? (August- September 2022 data)
- Brown Center Chalkboard article on how Americans broadly support teaching about (most) controversial topics in the classroom (August- September 2022 data)
- Yahoo article on the deep Partisan Divide Over LGBTQ+ Content in Schools (August- September 2022 data)
- The Hill article on how Americans are divided on LGBTQ representation in high school curriculum (August- September 2022 data)
- Spectrum News article on how parents want high schoolers to learn both sides of controversial issues (August- September 2022 data)
- Washington Post article on how Poll finds sharp partisan divides over teaching LGBTQ issues (August- September 2022 data)
- EducationWeek article on how Republicans and Democrats Agree: High Schools Should Teach ‘Controversial’ Issues (August- September 2022 data)
- The 74 Million article on how Half of Americans Know Little About CRT, What’s Actually Taught in Schools (August- September 2022 data)
- USC Dornsife CESR / USC Rossier report on A House Divided? What Americans Really Think About Controversial Topics in Schools (August- September 2022 data)
- The Economist article on how “Critical race theory” is being weaponised. What’s the fuss about?
- Brown Center Chalkboard article on Low parent interest in COVID-recovery interventions should worry educators and policymakers alike (April - May 2022 data)
- Urban Institute report on how both supply and demand for COVID-Related academic and social Interventions are insufficient to address the negative effects of the pandemic (April - May 2022 data)
- Evidence Base blog on how schools communicate can meaningfully change parent opinions (Summer 2021 data)
- Urban Institute report on parent support for masking and vaccine policies in schools across racial/ethnic and partisan lines (October-November 2021 data)
- The New Republic article on the bogus claim that school closures will doom democrats (multiple 2021 waves' data)
- Brown Center Chalkboard article on the question whether fiery school-board meetings are representative of all parents (October - November 2021 data)
- The 74 Million article on how with Students Back in School, Latest Data Finds Parental Support for State Testing Rebounding (October - November 2021 data)
- AERA Open article on disparities in Educational Access in the Time of COVID: Evidence From a Nationally Representative Panel of American Families (multiple 2020 - 2021 waves’ data)
- Brown Center Chalkboard article on how concerns about child well-being during the 2020-21 school year were greatest among parents of remote learners (June 2021 data)
- Washington Post article on how some families of color remain wary of returning to classrooms as new school year begins (July - August 2021 data)
- MarketWatch article on going back to school with the threat of the delta variant (July - August 2021 data)
- The Economist article on America's history wars (April - May 2021 data)
- Washington Post article on how more students of color are expected to return for in-person classes in the fall but reluctance lingers (May - June 2021 data)
- The 74 Million article on Tutoring, Summer School, Pods - Survey Finds Parents Aren't So Thrilled About Most K-12 COVID Recovery Solutions on the Table (April 2021-May 2021 data)
- Brown Center Chalkboard article on why some parents are sticking with remote learning - even as schools reopen (April 2021-May 2021 data)
- American Enterprise Institute Report on what's behind racial differences in attitudes toward school reopening (and what to do about them) (May 2020-March 2021 data)
- Brookings Brown Center Chalkboard article on how almost everyone is concerned about K-12 students’ academic progress (December 2020-February 2021 data)
- The Economist article on how more non-white than white parents prefer remote learning for their children (January-February 2021 data)
- Los Angeles Times article on how parents struggle with a new dilemma: Is it safe to send kids back to school? (January-February 2021 data)
- Los Angeles Times article on how a high school reopened two months ago, with no COVID-19 outbreaks? (January-February 2021 data)
- EDsource article on how California parents continue to disagree on return to school as Covid-19 cases decline (January-February 2021 data)
- Chalkbeat article on whether parents are getting the type of instruction they want for their kids (January-February 2021 data)
- New Yorker article on what’s at stake in the fight over reopening schools (January-February 2021 data)
- New York Times article on how Rhode Island kept its schools open (January-February 2021 data)
- Los Angeles Times article on how schools in more affluent areas move faster to reopen than those in low-income communities (January-February 2021 data)
- The Economist article on why reopening schools in minority neighbourhoods is hard
- Education Next blog on mask-wearing in schools (November 2020 data)
- Evidence Base article on evidence of COVID-19’s impact on K-12 education and critical areas of intervention (April-October 2020 data)
- Brookings piece on fall 2020 differences between in-person and remote learning experiences (September 30-October 28 2020 data)
- Evidence Project piece on needed supports for remote learners (September 30-October 28 2020 data)
- 74Million piece on decrease in parent support for standardized testing in spring 2021 (September 30-October 28 2020 data)
- Hechinger Op-Ed with recommendations for policy makers about school re-openings (September 30-October 28 2020 data)
- USC blog on parents’ concerns and perspectives on school reopening (June 22-July 24 2020 data)
- EdWeek (exclusive) article on K12 parents’ concerns and preferences (June 22-July 24 2020 data)
- FutureEd blog on parents’ conversations about race with their children (June 22-July 24 2020 data)
- Beyond Policing we must also address Black-White educational disparities (April/May 2020 data)
- Conversation article describing inequitable student access to computers and internet necessary for online learning (April 2020 data)
- EdWeek article (exclusive) article on K12 parents’ concerns from the end of April (April 2020 data)
Postsecondary
- USC Dornsife press release, focused on postsecondary education
- Inside Higher Ed (exclusive) article (top postsecondary trade journal) providing commentary related to results shared in the press release
INDIVIDUAL DATA
The UAS Covid-19 Survey National Sample Longitudinal File (located on the National Survey Data page) provides a cleaned and harmonized data set containing all waves of national tracking survey education data, combining data from all long-form surveys (up to and including UAS 348). The variable names have been harmonized, allowing easy longitudinal analysis. The data file includes longitudinal sample weights. Consult the file documentation and variable list/crosswalk for more information. For the vast majority of analyses this will be the file of choice. For cases where you need weights for analysis of a specific wave, we provide individual survey data sets below.
- UAS 502: Winter 2022 Education Survey Final Release (December 7, 2022 - January 15, 2023) - Direct download: Stata | CSV (codebook available here)
- UAS 479: Summer 2022 Education Survey Final Release (August 15, 2022 - September 12, 2022) - Direct download: Stata | CSV (codebook available here)
- UAS 461: Spring 2022 Education Survey Final Release (April 4, 2022 - May 12, 2022) - Direct download: Stata | CSV
- UAS 351: Wave 31 – UAS Covid Followup Survey Final Release (February 1, 2022 – March 30, 2022) - Direct download: STATA | CSV (registration and submission of a UAS Covid-19 Proposal form required)
- UAS 436: End Of Year Survey Final Release (December 17, 2021 - February 6, 2022) - Direct download: Stata | CSV
- UAS 414: Fall 2021 Education Survey Final Release (September 30, 2021 - November 7, 2021) - Direct download: Stata | CSV
- UAS 350: Wave 30 – UAS Covid Followup Survey Final Release (September 23, 2021 - October 31, 2021) - Direct download: STATA | CSV (registration and submission of a UAS Covid-19 Proposal form required)
- UAS 348: Wave 29 – long form of the UAS Covid Survey Final Release (June 9, 2021 - July 21, 2021) - Direct download: STATA | CSV (registration and submission of a UAS Covid-19 Proposal form required)
- UAS 346: Wave 28 – long form of the UAS Covid Survey Final Release (May 12, 2021 - June 22, 2021) - Direct download: STATA | CSV (registration and submission of a UAS Covid-19 Proposal form required)
- UAS 344: Wave 27 – long form of the UAS Covid Survey Final Release (April 14, 2021 - May 25, 2021) - Direct download: STATA | CSV (registration and submission of a UAS Covid-19 Proposal form required)
- UAS 342: Wave 26 – long form of the UAS Covid Survey Final Release (March 17, 2021 - April 27, 2021) - Direct download: STATA | CSV (registration and submission of a UAS Covid-19 Proposal form required)
- UAS 340: Wave 25 – long form of the UAS Covid Survey Final Release (February 17, 2021 - March 30, 2021) - Direct download: STATA | CSV (registration and submission of a UAS Covid-19 Proposal form required)
- UAS 331: End of Year Survey Education Questions Final Release (December 16, 2020 - February 7, 2021) - Direct download: STATA | CSV
- UAS 282: Wave 24 – long form of the UAS Covid Survey Final Release (February 2, 2021 - March 3, 2021) - Direct download: STATA | CSV (registration and submission of a UAS Covid-19 Proposal form required)
- UAS 280: Wave 23 – long form of the UAS Covid Survey Final Release (January 20, 2021 - February 17, 2021) - Direct download: STATA | CSV (registration and submission of a UAS Covid-19 Proposal form required)
- UAS 278: Wave 22 – long form of the UAS Covid Survey Final Release (January 6, 2021 - February 3, 2021) - Direct download: STATA | CSV (registration and submission of a UAS Covid-19 Proposal form required)
- UAS 276: Wave 21 – long form of the UAS Covid Survey Final Release (December 23, 2020 - January 20, 2021) - Direct download: STATA | CSV (registration and submission of a UAS Covid-19 Proposal form required)
- UAS 274: Wave 20 – long form of the UAS Covid Survey Final Release (December 9, 2020 - January 6, 2021) - Direct download: STATA | CSV (registration and submission of a UAS Covid-19 Proposal form required)
- UAS 272: Wave 19 – long form of the UAS Covid Survey Final Release (November 25 - December 23, 2020) - Direct download: STATA | CSV (registration and submission of a UAS Covid-19 Proposal form required)
- UAS 270: Wave 18 – long form of the UAS Covid Survey Final Release (November 11 - December 9, 2020) - Direct download: STATA | CSV (registration and submission of a UAS Covid-19 Proposal form required)
- UAS 264: Wave 15 – long form of the UAS Covid Survey Final Release (September 30 - October 27, 2020) - Direct download: STATA | CSV (registration and submission of a UAS Covid-19 Proposal form required)
- UAS 250: Wave 8 – long form of the UAS Covid Survey Final Release (June 24 - July 22, 2020) - Direct download: STATA | CSV (registration and submission of a UAS Covid-19 Proposal form required)
- UAS 242: Wave 4 – long form of the UAS Covid Survey Final Release (April 29, 2020 – May 26, 2020) - Direct download: STATA | CSV (registration and submission of a UAS Covid-19 Proposal form required)
- UAS 240: Wave 3 – long form of the UAS Covid Survey Final Release (April 15, 2020 – May 13, 2020) - Direct download: STATA | CSV (registration and submission of a UAS Covid-19 Proposal form required)
- UAS 235: Wave 2 – long form of the UAS Covid Survey Final Release (April 1 to April 28, 2020) - Direct download: STATA | CSV (registration and submission of a UAS Covid-19 Proposal form required)
REPORTS
- UAS559 Education Crosstabs (May 24, 2023 - July 9, 2023)
- UAS559 Education Methodology and Topline (May 24, 2023 - July 9, 2023)
- UAS502 Education Crosstabs (December 7, 2022 - January 15, 2023)
- UAS502 Education Methodology and Topline (December 7, 2022 - January 15, 2023)
- UAS479 Education Crosstabs (August 15, 2022 - September 12, 2022)
- UAS479 Education Methodology and Topline (August 15, 2022 - September 12, 2022)
- UAS475 Education Crosstabs (July 21, 2022 to August 28, 2022)
- UAS475 Education Methodology and Topline (July 21, 2022 to August 28, 2022)
- UAS461 Education Crosstabs (April 4, 2022 - May 12, 2022)
- UAS461 Education Methodology and Topline (April 4, 2022 - May 12, 2022)
- UAS436 Education Crosstabs (December 17, 2021 - February 6, 2022)
- UAS436 Education Methodology and Topline (December 30, 2021 - February 6, 2022)
- UAS414 Education Crosstabs (September 30, 2021 - November 7, 2021)
- UAS414 Education Methodology and Topline (September 30, 2021 - November 7, 2021)
- UAS348 Wave 29 Education Crosstabs (June 09, 2021 - July 20, 2021)
- UAS348 Wave 29 Education Methodology and Topline (June 09, 2021 - July 20, 2021)
- UAS348 Wave 29 Crosstabs (June 09, 2021 - July 20, 2021)
- UAS348 Wave 29 Methodology and Topline (June 09, 2021 - July 20, 2021)
- UAS346 Wave 28 Education Crosstabs (May 12, 2021 - June 22, 2021)
- UAS346 Wave 28 Education Methodology and Topline (May 12, 2021 - June 22, 2021)
- UAS346 Wave 28 Crosstabs (May 12, 2021 - June 22, 2021)
- UAS346 Wave 28 Methodology and Topline (May 12, 2021 - June 22, 2021)
- UAS344 Wave 27 Education Crosstabs (April 14, 2021 - May 25, 2021)
- UAS344 Wave 27 Education Methodology and Topline (April 14, 2021 - May 25, 2021)
- UAS344 Wave 27 Crosstabs (April 14, 2021 - May 25, 2021)
- UAS344 Wave 27 Methodology and Topline (April 14, 2021 - May 25, 2021)
- UAS342 Wave 26 Crosstabs (March 17, 2021 - April 27, 2021)
- UAS342 Wave 26 Methodology and Topline (March 17, 2021 - April 27, 2021)
- UAS340 Wave 25 Crosstabs (February 17, 2021 - March 30, 2021)
- UAS340 Wave 25 Methodology and Topline (February 17, 2021 - March 30, 2021)
- UAS282 Wave 24 Crosstabs (February 3, 2021 - March 3, 2021)
- UAS282 Wave 24 Methodology and Topline (February 3, 2021 - March 3, 2021)
- UAS280 Wave 23 Crosstabs (January 20, 2021 - February 17, 2021) (Updated section 10 education tables released February 23, 2021)
- UAS280 Wave 23 Methodology and Topline (January 20, 2021 - February 17, 2021) (Updated section 10 education tables released February 23, 2021)
- UAS278 Wave 22 Crosstabs (January 6, 2021 - January 20, 2021) (Updated section 10 education tables released March 23, 2021)
- UAS278 Wave 22 Methodology and Topline (January 6, 2021 - January 20, 2021) (Updated section 10 education tables released March 23, 2021)
- UAS276 Wave 21 Crosstabs (December 23, 2020 - January 20, 2021) (Updated section 10 education tables released March 23, 2021)
- UAS276 Wave 21 Methodology and Topline (December 23, 2020 - January 20, 2021) (Updated section 10 education tables released March 23, 2021)
- UAS274 Wave 20 Crosstabs (December 9, 2020 - January 6, 2021) (Updated section 10 education tables released March 23, 2021)
- UAS274 Wave 20 Methodology and Topline (November 25 - December 23, 2020) (Updated section 10 education tables released March 23, 2021)
- UAS272 Wave 19 Crosstabs (November 25 - December 23, 2020) (Updated section 10 education tables released March 23, 2021)
- UAS272 Wave 19 Methodology and Topline (November 25 - December 23, 2020) (Updated section 10 education tables released March 23, 2021)
- UAS270 Wave 18 Crosstabs (November 11 - December 9, 2020) (Updated section 10 education tables released March 23, 2021)
- UAS270 Wave 18 Methodology and Topline (November 11 - December 9, 2020) (Updated section 10 education tables released March 23, 2021)
- UAS264 Wave 15 Education Crosstabs (September 30 - October 27, 2020)
- UAS264 Wave 15 Education Methodology and Topline (September 30 - October 27, 2020)
- UAS250 Wave 8 Education Crosstabs (June 24 - July 22, 2020)
- UAS250 Wave 8 Education Methodology and Topline (June 24 - July 22, 2020)
- UAS242 Wave 4 Crosstabs (April 29 - May26, 2020) (updated June 30, 2020)
- UAS242 Wave 4 Methodology and Topline (April 29 - May26, 2020) (updated June 30, 2020)
- UAS240 Wave 3 Crosstabs (April 15, 2020 – May 12, 2020)
- UAS240 Wave 3 Methodology and Topline (April 15, 2020 – May 12, 2020)
- UAS235 Wave 2 Methodology (April 1, 2020 - April 17, 2020)
PUBLICATION FILES
- AERA Open Article Files July 2021 (registration and submission of a UAS Covid-19 Proposal form required)
- AERA Open Article Files July 2021 README (no login required)
RESEARCH TEAM
- Marshall Garland
- Shira Korn Haderlein
- Morgan Polikoff
- Amie Rapaport
- Anna Rosefsky Saavedra
- Daniel Silver
Acknowledgement to include in presentations and publications based on CESR UAS education data sets
The project described in this paper relies on data from survey(s) administered by the Understanding America Study (UAS), maintained by the USC Dornsife Center for Economic and Social Research (CESR) at the University of Southern California. The collection of the UAS COVID-19 tracking data has received financial support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the National Science Foundation Grant No. 2037179 and No. 2120194, National Institute on Aging Grant No. U01AG054580, the Hewlett Foundation, and the University of Southern California.