The current status of education for 1996 is presented in the form of education "indicators"--key data that measure the health of education, monitor important developments, and show trends in major aspects of education. The 60 indicators have been divided into 6 areas: (1) access, participation, and progress; (2) achievement, attainment, and curriculum; (3) economic and other outcomes of education; (4) size, growth, and output of educational institutions; (5) climate, classrooms, and diversity in educational institutions; and (6) human and financial resources of educational institutions. The report includes the text, tables, and charts for each indicator plus the technical supporting data, supplemental information, and data sources. Information on issues in elementary and secondary education are integrated with those on issues in postsecondary education to reflect the continuity of educational experiences. An overview synthesizes evidence from the 60 indicators and other sources on 4 important education issues: education and worker productivity; preparation for work; minorities in higher education; and teachers' working conditions. Appendices comprise over half of the publication and contain supplemental tables and notes, a list of data sources, a glossary, an index, and a list of selected publications of the National Center for Education Statistics. (MLF)