Arlington Students Learn Everybody Counts

Published on December 05, 2019



The U.S. Census Bureau kicked off its Statistics in Schools program, offering Arlington teachers and others a wide array of resources that teach students not only about data but also about the importance of being counted in the upcoming 2020 Census. 

Arlington Public Schools shared the free program with its teachers, who can integrate it into their lesson plans and make connections to Census data in subjects that include math, history, social studies, geography, sociology, and English at all grade levels.  

The Statistics in Schools resources go hand-in-hand with the Census Bureau's "Everyone Counts" program, which addresses how schools can contribute to assuring an accurate population count in their communities. As part of the program, students participate in interactive games and classroom activities designed to raise awareness of the importance of statistics in our everyday lives and the impact of the decennial census.

There are also educational resources designed for children and adults learning English as a second language which focus on the country's diversity and highlight how a complete count in the 2020 Census will benefit the community. 

All the resources are free and available on the Statistics in Schools website.  

The 2020 Census materials include worksheets and activities students can do at home — which helps families become aware of the importance of counting everyone in the household. An accurate count of children is especially critical, as responses to the 2020 Census will drive decisions about the distribution of federal funds for programs and services including special education, teacher training, technology, school lunch assistance, Head Start and after-school programs. 

Ensuring an accurate count of children can affect a child's entire school experience.  

"A six-year-old who is counted in Arlington in the 2020 Census will be in high school when the next Census is taken in 2030," said Interim Superintendent Cintia Johnson, Arlington Public Schools. "That's 10 years of funding — spanning nearly the entire educational experience. Planning for school resources depends on every child being counted." 

The Statistics in Schools resources use real census data to help students understand statistics concepts and develop data analysis skills. The games, worksheets, guides and other materials are free and can be downloaded by teachers and others to bring statistics into the curriculum and help every child get counted in Arlington and across the country.  

Here's a sample of featured activities, including teacher guides and student worksheets:  

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APRIL 1, 2020 IS CENSUS DAY! The U.S. Census counts every resident in the nation, including right here in Arlington County. As mandated by the U.S. Constitution, America gets just one chance each decade to count its population. The collected data helps to determine things like the number of seats Virginia has in the House of Representatives, and how to distribute federal funds to local communities like ours.    

Census 2020: Safe. Important. Confidential. Learn more about how Arlington Counts.    

Media Contact

  • Lisa Van Wagner
  • Lvanwagner@arlingtonva.us
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