The U.S. Department of Education (ED) will use the 2021 Census data to calculate fiscal year 2023 (school year (SY) 2023–2024) allocations under Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA).This data is available at: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/saipe.html and also on our website https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/fiscal-and-administrative-services/school-funding/funding-data .
The Census data estimates are based on a statistical model that incorporates information from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, administrative records taken from Federal income tax returns and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the most recent decennial Census, updates to population estimates that the Census Bureau may have completed since the last decennial census, data on Supplemental Security Income recipients, and economic data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Similar to prior years, the Census Bureau is providing a challenge period for SEAs and LEAs to review the 2021 LEA poverty and population data for certain non-statistical errors. These errors are those that the Census Bureau may have made in: (1) processing input data or running the estimation models/programs; or (2) in preparing or processing information to define geographic boundaries (e.g., school district boundaries).
This challenge period ends on March 15, 2023. Based on the two factors outlined in the previous paragraph, an SEA or LEA official may contact the Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE) Branch at the Census Bureau for further information about how to challenge these data.
To obtain information on the process an SEA or LEA needs to follow in order to challenge these data, please contact the SAIPE Branch at:
(301) 763-3193 or
E-mail: sehsd.saipe@census.gov
When sending an e-mail, please include your name, mailing address, telephone number, e-mail address, and organization affiliation. More information and guidance concerning the Census Bureau’s challenge procedures is available at:
https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/saipe/about/contact/challenges.html
Information about the data sources and the methodology used to prepare these data is available at: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/saipe/about.html
LEAs are strongly encouraged to review the data for accuracy before March 15, 2023.