A teachable moment: The 2020 Census

Every day, students and teachers in my school walk by a large map of the United States filled with data from the U.S. Census Bureau. This map was created by the Census Bureau’s Statistics in Schools (SIS) program, which brings census data to life in the classroom to help students understand its impact. Posted beside the map are questions that students can answer by studying the data points. Students can then drop their answers into a raffle box for the chance to win a prize. I love seeing the interest and excitement stemming from this activity.

Students in Winfield School District 34 in Winfield, IL, answer questions using a map from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Statistics in Schools 2020 materials. Photo courtesy of Steve Kahlfeldt.

SIS materials provide creative ways to expand my census-related lessons and drive home the significance of participating in the nationwide count that happens every 10 years. The program offers online activities, videos, maps and other resources to help preK through 12th-grade educators show students why statistics matter. This school year, the SIS program collaborated with teachers across the country to create 67 new 2020 Census activities, including a song, interactive videos, wall maps, and more. The resources are available free on the SIS website. The program also provides take-home activities for students to help spread the message to their families about the importance of responding to the census.

Both in and out of school, I’m an ambassador for the SIS program. Becoming an ambassador was an easy decision because I truly can’t think of a better real-world lesson for students than the 2020 Census. As a middle school social studies teacher for 15 years, I’m accustomed to sharing my passion for current events with my students. The 2020 Census is a perfect example of a current event with long-lasting impact and a teachable moment for my students — and one that is critical for our schools and communities.

Many people don’t know that responses to the census will inform how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding for programs such as Head Start, special education, school lunch assistance, technology, teacher training, and after-school programs will be distributed over the next decade. In addition to programs that directly benefit schools, census data affect decisions about where to build roads, hospitals, and schools, and where to create jobs and businesses.

As a teacher ambassador, I’ve worked to get the message out about the importance of the 2020 Census. Through my work, I’ve had the opportunity to write articles for our school newsletter, collaborate with our superintendent to share updates on the district’s social media channels, and share the SIS website with social studies and teacher organizations.

This week, from March 2-6, schools across the nation are taking part in SIS Week: Everyone Counts! SIS Week comes just before households receive their first invitations to complete the 2020 Census. Daily themes and activities connect the census with topics students are already learning about — like diversity and congressional representation. I’m particularly excited about the virtual field trip students will take to the Census Bureau to learn more about how census data are collected and used.

SIS Week resources include a roadmap of the daily themes, a printable flyer for educators, and a flyer for students to take home to their families. To help schools spread the word about their participation in SIS Week, the kit includes news releases, social media content, and talking points.

Ideally, teaching our students about the census will translate into continued conversations at home. When my daughter comes home from school and tells me how she is inspired by something she is learning in the classroom, how can I pass up an opportunity to support her excitement? My hope is that the lessons I’m instilling in my students will help them show their parents how important this count is to their future.

The 2020 Census is critical for communities all over the country, and I encourage educators everywhere to consider ways to bring SIS materials to life in their classrooms, schools, and communities to ensure that everyone is counted.