This report provides an overview of the available racial and ethnic data on high school completion rates, college participation, college enrollment, degrees conferred, and employment in higher education for the period 1974-1994. Major data sources are reports of the U.S. Bureau of the Census and the National Center for Education Statistics. The report also includes a special focus on affirmative action and higher education. Trends identified include the following: high school completion rates increased for African Americans but declined for Hispanics; women continue to complete high school at higher rates than men with a 6 percent gap for Hispanics, 6.3 percent gap for African Americans, and a 3.9 percent gap for whites. The total college-age population continued to decline, falling 10 percent from 1984 to 1994 while total college enrollment declined slightly. All four major ethnic groups achieved enrollment growth, with Hispanics increasing 6.9 percent, Asian Americans 7.5 percent, and Hispanics 6.7 percent (at two-year institutions). The number of faculty of color increased 43.7 percent from 1983 to 1993, compared with a 6.4 percent increase for whites. Twenty-three tables of data and other tables and figures provide detailed statistical data. (Contains 70 references.) (JLS)