Collection Form (2016-2017) - Illinois State Board Of Education printable pdf download

Collection Form (2016-2017) - Illinois State Board Of Education

Illinois State Board of Education

New U.S. Department of Education Race and Ethnicity Data Standards

Dear Parent or Guardian:

In fall 2007, the U.S. Department of Education issued new guidance on the collection

and reporting of race and ethnicity data for public school students and staff. The

guidance implements new federal race and ethnicity categories that were developed to

obtain a more accurate picture of the nation’s diversity. The new data collection process

requires respondents to answer a two-part question, indicating ethnicity first and then

one or more of five races. (In the past, individuals were allowed to choose only one race

or ethnicity category.)

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) began using the new categories in the

2011-2012 school year. This requires school districts to re-identify race and ethnicity for

all students—and the identification is to be done by parents or guardians. If a student’s

parents or guardians decline to indicate race and/or ethnicity, observer identification by

school district staff is required.

The new race and ethnicity data will be used in the same manner as previously collected

data, e.g., in reporting and analyzing test results by race and ethnicity. The information

will not be used to check immigration status, and the confidentiality of individual student

information will be protected.

Attached is the form that parents or guardians need to complete to identify race and

ethnicity for their children. Please complete one form per child, and be sure to answer

both parts of the two-part question. (Remember that school district staff is required to

provide any missing information by observer identification.)

Return the completed form to your child’s school on the date of registration,

August 1

and 2

Thank you for your cooperation in providing the needed data. If you have any question,

please call the school office.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Maria Baalman, Principal

Illinois State Board of Education, Division of Data Analysis and Progress

Reporting December 2009

Collection Form (2016-2017) - Illinois State Board Of Education