According to a state of Illinois press release, the U.S. Census Bureau’s Statistics in Schools program is inviting Illinois teachers to become 2020 Census ambassadors. Ambassadors will champion the 2020 Census in their classrooms, schools, and communities and in doing so help Illinois achieve a complete 2020 Census count.
The press release says that ideal candidates are active pre-K through 12th-grade teachers who are interested in spearheading a national initiative at their schools while shaping the future of their communities through social media, collaboration, and leadership. Teachers may email CLMSO.SISambassador@census.gov to apply by July 31.
The Statistics in Schools program uses Census Bureau statistics to “educate pre-K through 12th-grade students about the importance of a complete and accurate census count.” All teachers can access free and engaging classroom activities at www.census.gov/schools. New materials for the 2019-20 school year “will be used to teach students about the importance of the 2020 Census count and empower them to share this knowledge with adults in their home.”
The state has committed to promoting equity and inclusion in its census efforts to ensure participation. The Illinois legislature has appropriated $29 million in fiscal year 2020 for census implementation, which is one of the largest state investments across the country. For more information on Illinois’ census efforts, visit census.illinois.gov.
