Federal Committee on Statistical Methodology (FCSM)

Tuesday, October 22, 2024 | 2:00 PM

Session B-1: PANEL: Engaging Stakeholders to Develop Innovative Public facing Data Products
Location: Vessey 1

Chris Chapman, National Center for Education Statistics

In order to address evolving stakeholder requirements, federal agencies are constantly innovating their public facing statistical products. These changes range from improving the way agencies disseminate existing data products to combining an agency’s data assets to develop new insights. This panel will highlight the approaches taken across five agencies to accomplish this goal: the Census Bureau, the Department of Agriculture, the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, the National Center for Education Statistics, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The panelists will describe various initiatives, the challenges they encountered, and solutions they identified to ensure that agencies can meet the needs of their stakeholders. This interactive session will include discussion amongst the panel and engage the audience’s questions.

Wednesday, October 23, 2024 | 8:30 AM

Session D-4: PANEL: Defining Relevance for Statistical Collections and Data Products
Location: Vessey 1

Lexi Shankser, National Center for Education Statistics

As federal agents at Recognized Statistical Units and Statistical Officials, we are required to produce “relevant and timely” statistical information to inform decision-makers in governments, businesses, institutions, and households. However, we lack an agreed-upon framework for assessing the relevance of our work. What should such a framework look like? What are the attending data needs of that framework? This panel will bring perspectives on these questions from multiple agencies with diverse missions, yet the discussion will center on approaches or frameworks that are applicable across the federal recognized statistical agencies and units.

Wednesday, October 23, 2024 |10:30 AM

Session E-2: Accessible Data for Young Learners: Innovative Paths to Make Federal Data Relevant to Students
Location: Chesapeake B

Empowering Tomorrow’s Data Detectives: Promoting Statistical Literacy and Engagement among Youth
Ryne Paulose, National Center for Health Statistics
Juliana McAllister, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Trudi Ellerman, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Jody Derezinski Williams, University of Maryland
Rebecca Nichols, American Statistical Association
Josue DelaRosa, National Center for Education Statistics

There are an estimated 54 million children ages 5-17 years in the United Sates (ACS, 2022). Federal statistical agencies are tasked with disseminating relevant statistical information. To engage students and promote statistical literacy, new strategies may be needed, including STEM-focused enrichment opportunities.  The Data Detectives Camp is a week-long summer camp for rising 6th and 7th grade students to promote data science literacy through hands-on, project-based learning, enabling students to explore and understand the real-world implications of data.  The camp is conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) in collaboration with the American Statistical Association, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, CDC Museum, National Center for Education Statistics, and University of Maryland. The camp’s curriculum integrates data from NCHS and other partners to familiarize students with essential federal statistical data and other resources. By working together, these organizations leverage their expertise and resources to effectively educate and engage students in statistical concepts. By nurturing an interest in data and statistics, the camp strives to inspire future data scientists and build a pipeline of skilled professionals who can contribute to the field of data science and use federal statistical information effectively. This presentation will discuss the camp’s role as a unique method for promoting data literacy, increasing student engagement with federal statistical data, and inspiring future statisticians and data scientists. Through such initiatives, agencies can fulfill their mandate of disseminating relevant statistical information to all users while enhancing public engagement, particularly among youth.

 Enhancing Access to Postsecondary Information: The Impact of NCES College Navigator on Student Decision-Making
Tara Lawley, National Center for Education Statistics

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) plays a key role in collecting, analyzing, and disseminating data related to the condition of education in the United States. A key part of NCES's mission is to make data accessible and useful for a wide range of stakeholders, including students and families making critical decisions about postsecondary education. The NCES College Navigator represents a significant advancement in fulfilling this mission by providing NCES’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) information in a family and student friendly, online platform that offers comprehensive information about U.S. colleges and universities in an easily navigable format.  This presentation will explore how the College Navigator supports NCES's goal of expanding the use of data by enabling students and families to make informed decisions based on a variety of IPEDS data points, including 60 tuition costs, retention and graduation rates, financial aid availability, and program offerings. By analyzing usage patterns, we will demonstrate the tool's effectiveness in aiding students in their postsecondary selection process, thus contributing to better educational outcomes and alignment with their career aspirations. Moreover, we will discuss the innovative features of the College Navigator, such as its interactive maps, comparison tool, and personalized search capabilities, which enhance the user experience and provide tailored information that meets the diverse needs of prospective college students.

Wednesday, October 23, 2024 | 10:30 AM

Session E-6: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Data Action Plans: Delivering on Executive Order 14075
Location: Room 0105

US Department of Education’s SOGI Data Action Plan
Elise Christopher, National Center for Education Statistics

The Federal Evidence Agenda on LGBTQI+ Equity included a section on Economic Security and Education topics that were used to inform the development of the SOGI Data Action Plan for the U.S. Department of Education (ED). ED’s SOGI Data Action Plan contains five Learning Questions that align with the ED Learning Agenda and its Strategic Plan. These focus on: attainment; adverse experiences; supports and barriers; educator training; and educator experiences. Four Evidence-Building Activities have been identified thus far.

Wednesday, October 23, 2024 | 3:30 PM

Session G-2: Effective Strategies in the Era of Evidence Building: The Future is Now! Organizer: Ted Horan, Social Security Administration
Location:  Chesapeake B

Enhancing School Safety Through the Indicators of School Crime and Safety Program: The Value of Cross-Agency Collaboration
Josue DeLaRosa, National Center for Education Statistics
Veronique Irwin, National Center for Education Statistics

Beginning as an outgrowth of the Ann