The Editorial Projects in Education Research Center, with support from the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation, has conducted a study of the factors that have influenced the educational policy landscape during the past decade.

The list of top-ten information sources includes an eclectic combination of traditional print publications, "new media" outlets such as electronic newsletters and blogs, governmental sources, a journal, and a non-profit organization. Our expert respondents clearly had a diverse view of what constituted an "information source."

The leading information source—the National Assessment of Educational Progress—also emerged as the top-ranked influential study. NAEP offers a wide variety of information to the public in the form of statistical indicators, databases, descriptive and technical reports, research studies, online data tools, and brief publications designed for the general public. The National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education also appear among the more highly-ranked information sources on the short list. Other influential information sources include Education Week, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Education Gadfly, the Public Education Network Weekly Newsblast, Education Next, and Eduwonk.

The ranking of information sources is:

(Click on an item to download an individual influence report in PDF format; a new window will open.)