This is the third periodic report on the programs and plans of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The challenge facing the NCES is to collect and analyze data that track the growth and change in educational experience in the United States. Current programs toward this goal, future plans, and major publications of the NCES are described. In addition to updating the descriptions of traditional standard data collections, such as the Common Core of Data (CCD) and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), this edition focuses on some of the NCES's new and innovative work. The availability of data sets, including the CCD and IPEDS databases, in electronic, machine readable format is highlighted. The work of the NCES is described in the following sections: (1) elementary and secondary education; (2) postsecondary education; (3) educational assessment; (4) national longitudinal studies; (5) vocational education; (6) library statistics program; and (7) annual publications. Each section describes the studies and surveys conducted in each respective area, with plans, selected publications, and the data collection calendar for work in the area. (SLD)