Enrollment National Enrollment projections were based on projected enrollment rates, by age and sex, which were applied to population projections by age and sex developed by the Bureau of the Census. These enrollment rates were projected by taking into account the most recent trends, as well as the effects of economic conditions and demographic changes on a person's decision to enter college. Enrollments by age and age groups from the Bureau of the Census were adjusted to NCES totals to compute enrollment rates for 1972 through 1997. Different economic assumptions were made to produce low, middle, and high alternative projections of enrollment rates to the year 2010. Back To Top Elementary Grades 1-8 Projections of elementary enrollment rates were considered for ages 5 through 18.
Elementary enrollments are negligible for other ages.
Because most elementary enrollment rates have been close to 100 percent from 1972 to 1997, alternative enrollment rate projections were not computed. The enrollment data by age were prorated to agree with NCES totals. The Bureau of the Census does not revise enrollment estimates by age, but population estimates are revised regularly. Back To Top Secondary Grades 9-12 Projections of secondary enrollment rates were considered for ages 12 through 34. Secondary enrollment rates have fluctuated within a narrow range from 1972 to 1997.