This Week In IPEDS (TWII)

Collection of Aggregate Race/Ethnicity Data in IPEDS

NCES has been anticipating the implementation of new racial/ethnic categories as required by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Standards set forth in 1997. The Department of Education has been working both internally and with other federal agencies to adopt new categories for the collection of race/ethnicity data at the aggregate level. As yet, NCES does not have final approval from OMB on what categories will be used in IPEDS. Further, we have been informed that OMB has recommended that the Department delay any plans to implement the new Standards for at least another 6 months. All 2004-05 survey forms reflect the "old" categories that have been in use since 1990. NCES anticipates that these same categories will apply to the 2005-06 survey instruments as well.

As soon as OMB approves new categories for reporting aggregate data, NCES will alert all keyholders and coordinators and will provide a schedule for implementation. NCES will keep you informed as we receive more information.

You can also check What's New in IPEDS (http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/whatsnew.asp) for updates on this topic.

Registration for the IPEDS 2004-05 data collection continues

All keyholders and coordinators were sent registration information (UserID and password for the collection year) on 7/28/04. If you are a keyholder or coordinator and did NOT receive this information, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 1-877-225-2568 or ipedshelp@rti.org.

All keyholders should register prior to August 27, 2004. To register, Go to the collection site, http://surveys.nces.ed.gov/ipeds/, log in and verify or update your contact information, and then click on "update." An email confirming your registration will automatically be sent.

2004-05 survey forms available

All 2004-05 survey forms and instructions are currently available on the IPEDS website: see http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/webbase.asp