Implications of the new federal requirements for schools.

July 2009Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Districts must collect data via a 2-part question format (respondents answer BOTH parts):1. Is this student Hispanic or Latino? (Choose only one)

No, Not Hispanic or Latino Yes, Hispanic or Latino

2. Is this student: (Choose one or more. You must select at least one.)

American Indian or Alaska Native Asian Black or African American Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander White

Self-identification must always be encouraged. If student & parent choices conflict, the parent’s choice should be used.

◦ Most consistent and accurate mode of racial and ethnic data collection.

◦ Method most socially acceptable and respectful of individual privacy and dignity (1997 OMB Standards).

◦ Allows individual to assert his/her own racial and ethnic identity.

Regulations indicate that identification of a student’s racial and ethnic categories is to be made primarily by the parents or guardians.

If a parent declines, but the student volunteers to self-identify, that data should be used.

The completion or non-completion of the race/ethnicity data on an enrollment form should never prevent any child from enrolling in a school/district.

Is it OK to help a student or parent decide how to classify him- or herself?

No. District or school staff should not tell a student, a parent, or a staff member how to answer these questions

What should we do if we believe that a student or a staff member is of a different race or ethnicity than he/she claims to be?

The school or district must accept an individual’s self-identification of his or her race and ethnicity. Self-identification is a basic principle underlying these changes.

◦ Note: It is suggested that at the elementary and secondary level the race/ethnicity identification is made primarily by parents or guardians.

Should be used only as a last resort. Used only when a student/parent or staff

member declines to self-identify. May not yield data as accurate as self-

identification. Places additional burden on school and

district.

Managing an Identity Crisis: Forum Guide to Implementing New Federal Race and Ethnicity Categories.

http://nces.ed.gov/forum Link from DPI FAQ

District policy should indicate steps to be taken before identification is used. Steps may include such things as:◦ Review enrollment form with parent at registration. ◦ Send second letter or make phone call to follow-up

with parent.◦ Let parent/student know that district is required to

provide information to state and so identification by district and school staff will be used if they refuse to self-identify.

◦ Let parent/student know that district will maintain confidentiality of individual race and ethnicity records.

One administrator per school should be designated to make an identification on student’s/staff member’s behalf.◦ Improves the consistency of the data collection

process.◦ Avoids confusion and identifies authority.

There is no federal requirement to flag the record if identification by district or school staff was used in lieu of self-identification.

Districts may choose to maintain this information for their own purposes.

Should not tell student/parent or staff member how to respond.

Should stay within his/her comfort zone, making the best judgment possible.

It is important to be consistent and make judgments objectively.

May use prior record, sibling information, or first-hand knowledge of country of birth, if available.

dpi.wi.gov/lbstat/datarac.html Final Guidance from the U.S. Department of

Education (USDE) on “Maintaining, Collecting, and Reporting Racial and Ethnic Data”

Race / Ethnicity FAQ Sample Letter to Parents Sample Letter to Educators Managing an Identity Crisis: Forum Guide to

Implementing New Federal Race and Ethnicity Categories. (2008). National Center for Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC.