This report presents findings on American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) individuals in the U.S. criminal justice system in 2023. It describes AIAN persons processed at each stage of the federal justice system: arrest, prosecution, pretrial detention and release, sentencing, incarceration, and community supervision. In Fiscal Year 2023, federal law enforcement agencies made 2,908 arrests involving an AIAN suspect—an arrest rate of 65 arrests per 100,000 AIAN persons in the population. Violation of supervision (47%) was the most common arrest offense in Fiscal Year 2023, with a greater percentage of males (48%) than females (39%) had a supervision violation arrest. In Fiscal Years 2021–2023, the 3-year average federal AIAN arrest rate (per 100,000) was highest in South Dakota (643), North Dakota (486), Wyoming (350), and Montana (298). AIAN defendants charged in U.S. district court in Fiscal Year 2023 were predominantly male (80%) and had a high school education or less (81%).

This report evaluates how to measure cybercrime through the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), focusing on which types of crimes are feasible to collect. Based on recent literature, eleven different types of cybercrimes were considered for addition to the NCVS. Among those recommended for further testing were cyberstalking, identity theft, cyber fraud, and computer-related forgery. Researchers found that, given the breadth of crimes covered under the umbrella term cybercrime and in the interest of respondent burden, it was not possible to significantly add to the core of the NCVS. Adding other types of crimes to the survey requires adding more screening questions, covering much different content than the index crimes that are currently surveyed on the core NCVS. Researchers recommended using supplements as a more practical way to expand the scope of the survey. Supplements focus on specific types of victimization for a limited time period, usually six months. They provide the flexibility to develop specialized content to measure emerging types of crime, including cybercrimes, and can valuable insights that can inform policy, research, and community safety initiatives.

Although the precise definitions and usage of the terms vary by state, in general, “good-time” and “earned-time” credit structures allow incarcerated people to earn time off their sentences through good behavior and participation in rehabilitative programming. Laws that restrict sentence credits were popularized in the 1980s and 1990s to ensure that people served most of their sentences in prison before becoming eligible for release. This report presents a summary of states’ earned-time and good-time options, focusing on states that have minimal offense-based exclusions. It identifies those states that allow people convicted of violent offenses to earn more than 15% percent off their sentences. More than 40 states passed so-called “truth in sentencing” policies between 1984 and 1999. California, West Virginia, and Wyoming offer the most expansive time credit-earning opportunities, significantly exceeding the 15% federal suggested cap. In Florida, while there are opportunities to earn “gain time” all offenders, violent and non-violent, serve 85% of their sentence.

California has made a historic commitment to early childhood through its recent investments in its universal prekindergarten initiative, which consists of transitional kindergarten, the California State Preschool Program, Head Start, and other early learning programs such as private preschools and family child care. Since the onset of its universal prekindergarten initiative in 2021, the state has invested significant funding in universal prekindergarten programming, and early research indicates that the state’s investments have resulted in increases in enrollment of 3- and 4-year-olds in California’s publicly funded universal prekindergarten programs. This report builds on the early research examining implementation of universal prekindergarten within California’s local education agencies by analyzing data from an annual survey administered to all agencies receiving a universal prekindergarten Planning and Implementation Grant from the California Department of Education. Survey results show that local education agencies have made consistent progress expanding and improving the accessibility of transitional kindergarten offerings across the state. In addition, most local education agencies report having sufficient classroom space to support full transitional kindergarten expansion, though the lack of appropriate facilities remains a persistent concern. Lastly, survey results reveal several challenges reported by the local education agencies, including challenges around recruitment and retention of qualified staff and meeting the developmental and behavioral needs of younger students.

Registered apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction, creating career pathways to help employers meet their talent needs and workers gain skills. . Yet only a small fraction of employers and workers participate in the apprenticeship system. Further, research shows that small and medium-sized businesses (those with fewer than 100 employees, or between 100 and 499 employees, respectively) both experience the greatest return on investment from registered apprenticeship programs and face the greatest financial and administrative barriers to participating in the registered apprenticeship system. Small and medium-sized businesses employ nearly half of the US workforce and generate more than 40% of GDP, yet they often lack the staffing, financial resources, and administrative capacity needed to sponsor registered apprenticeship programs on their own. Without targeted support to these businesses, the U.S. apprenticeship system risks excluding many of these small and medium-sized businesses from sharing in the benefits of the apprenticeship model and system—including stronger talent pipelines for employers and expanded pathways for workers to enter good jobs. To help these businesses access and benefit from the registered apprenticeship system, state and federal governments should strategically target apprenticeship expansion investments and technical assistance, as they already do for employers in priority industries and geographies. Additionally, more can be done to reduce burdens on all employers by modernizing administrative platforms, developing accessible tools and resources, and promoting innovative apprenticeship models.

As dual enrollment participation grows—reaching an estimated 2.8 million students in 2023-24—practitioners and policymakers require validated, timely student success metrics to support the improvement of dual enrollment programming as an effective on-ramp to college and career. This report introduces and validates a set of dual enrollment momentum metrics designed to serve as leading indicators of subsequent postsecondary success. Drawing on longitudinal data from four anonymous states, the analysis in the report tests three types of metrics capturing college course taking in high school: credit accumulation (e.g., 6+ or 15+ credits completed), completion of college math or English, and completion of a college credential in high school. Researchers found that dual enrollment momentum metrics are strong predictors of postsecondary outcomes, though the strength varies depending on the metric and outcome: Lower credit thresholds and gateway English completion are stronger predictors of college enrollment, whereas higher credit thresholds and gateway math completion are stronger predictors of college completion and reduced time to a bachelor’s degree. Findings also suggest that the dual momentum metrics are reliable predictors of subsequent college outcomes across student gender and race/ethnicity, Title I high school status, and high school urbanicity.

Artificial intelligence (AI) could spur economic growth, enhance societal well-being, and improve national security. These possibilities have led to a global AI competition, in which nations that fall behind risk losing economic advantages and global influence. This report highlights a framework developed by the U.S. Government Accountability Office to assess U.S. AI capabilities, capacity, and competitiveness compared to other nations. The framework organizes relevant factors into four pillars: Science & Technology, Human Capital, Governance, and Economy. Each pillar is further divided into sub-pillars, such as laws, regulations, and policies, workforce, and investment and financing. Users can use these pillars and sub-pillars to systematically consider the breadth of factors relevant to the needs of policymakers seeking information on our nation’s AI capabilities and capacity versus those of other nations. Lastly, the framework involves four steps that allow users to tailor their assessment, such as focusing the assessment by selecting targeted outcomes of AI competitiveness, identifying indicators for measurement or evaluation, conducting data analysis, and developing policy options and finalizing the product.

Adolescence is a critical period during which teens initiate and escalate substance use, as well as begin learning to drive. Limited research has evaluated programs to prevent impaired driving behaviors in this age group. The authors tested effects of adding a single-session web intervention to existing driver education curriculum. Driving school staff recruited participants aged 15 to 17 from twelve driver education programs. Participants were randomized to driver education only or driver education plus a single-session web intervention, called webCHAT, which was about 30 minutes extra. Participants completed surveys at baseline and six months. The sample (n = 198) was 60% female, 80% White, and averaged 15.7 years old. At baseline, 25% and 8% reported past three-month alcohol and cannabis use, respectively, and 19% and 10% reported ever riding with someone under the influence of alcohol or cannabis, respectively. At follow-up, participants reported significantly lower perceived peer alcohol and cannabis use norms compared to non- participants. Both participants and non- participants significantly reduced past month alcohol and cannabis use and viewed impaired driving as riskier and less acceptable at follow-up. In conclusion, driver education programs offer a unique opportunity to prevent substance use and impaired driving when adolescents are motivated to participate to secure their driver's license. These programs should continue updating curricula to reflect the state of science for alcohol and drug prevention.

This advisory presents a comprehensive strategy to advance the integration of physical and behavioral health care for older adults. Key findings include that older evidence-based approaches, such as Collaborative Care, which is a team-based model utilizing a behavioral healthcare manager and psychiatric consultant in primary care settings and integrated illness self-management for older adults with serious mental illness, demonstrate measurable benefits and cost-effectiveness. Specifically, the Collaborative Care Model has demonstrated a positive return on investment. For example, a cost-effectiveness analysis of the Improving Mood–Promoting Access to Collaborative Treatment found lower mean total healthcare costs over four years than usual care ($29,422 vs. $32,785), supporting the use of behavioral health integration reimbursement codes under Medicare. Emerging payment models, including bundled payments, value-based care arrangements, and shared savings programs, offer promising financial pathways to improve integration in real-world settings. In addition, incorporating behavioral health screening into primary care is an essential component of integrated care for older adults. Timely identification of mental health and substance use conditions enables early intervention and improves outcomes. Lastly, other evidence-based approaches include interoperable data systems and a multidisciplinary workforce trained in aging and behavioral health.

Dietary supplements are commonly used in the United States and contribute considerably to total nutrient intake in the population. People take dietary supplements for many reasons, including improving and maintaining health, preventing disease, and targeting specific organ systems such as skeletal or cardiovascular health. Dietary supplement use can help lessen nutritional deficiencies but may also lead to intake of nutrients above tolerable upper intake levels. Key findings from the report include that during August 2021–August 2023, 35.7% of youth ages 0–19 years and 60.2% of adults age 20 and older used any dietary supplement in the past 30 days. Among youth, dietary supplement use was highest among those ages 2–11 years, while among adults, dietary supplement use increased with age. Overall, 11.3% of youth used two or more dietary supplements. Overall, 38.7% of adults used two or more dietary supplements, and use increased with age. Use of two or more dietary supplements increased among youth and adults from 2013–2014 through August 2021–August 2023.

Impact investing requires balancing financial returns with meaningful outcomes for children, families, and communities. This report introduces a decision-making tool to help funders assess and compare investment opportunities with clarity and consistency. The framework evaluates investments across three weighted levels: mission fit (50%), organizational soundness (30%), and strategic value and priorities (20%). The tool scores opportunities across 10 criteria, including financial strength and population impact, and geographic coverage, which allows systematic comparison of investments and prioritizes options with the greatest potential for both financial and social returns. The report also demonstrates to users how to apply the tool — from initial screening to due diligence and ongoing monitoring. This includes a pair of practical worksheets and real-world examples to help investors identify high-impact opportunities aligned with their mission; evaluate financial and operational risk; compare similar investment options using consistent criteria; and track performance over time against initial expectations.