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Managing an Identity Crisis: Forum Guide to Implementing New Federal Race and Ethnicity Categories
NFES 2008-802
October 2008

Chapter 4. Getting It Done: Re-Identifying an Individual’s Race and Ethnicity

The Final Guidance addresses many concerns raised by the public regarding data collection. In general, there are three major issues related to such an effort: re-identification of an individual's race and ethnicity, the two-question format, and observer-identification.

question point

What Do the New Standards Mean to School Districts?

School districts play the key role in collecting data using the new race and ethnicity categories.  It is essential for district and school personnel to establish policies and procedures for conducting the re-identification, following up for nonresponse, and observation of individuals' race and ethnicity.