Resources for Understanding Current & Controversial Issues Surrounding the Census

by Mary Ellen Daneels, Lead Teacher Mentor

In a recent blog, Shawn shared some of the history and underpinnings of the controversy surrounding the return of the citizenship question on the short form of the census. Shawn explained “The legality of the ‘citizenship question’ is being challenged in federal court (Illinois is among the signatories). It reads ‘Is this person a citizen of the United States?’ Yes options include native born, born abroad to parents who are citizens, or a naturalized citizen. The no option is accompanied by the clause ‘not a citizen’.” The video clip from the Washington Post (linked to the right) further defines the controversy surrounding the citizenship question.


This summer, through a generous grant from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, illinoiscivics.org is hosting free, two-day workshops throughout the state of Illinois focusing on “Putting the Pieces Together: Civics, Standards and Curriculum Design” to support teachers in implementing the new Illinois Social Science standards and high-school civics requirement. To illustrate the proven practices of current and controversial issue discussions, simulations of democratic processes and possible service learning activities, participants engage in an inquiry that examines the supporting question, “How do courts count?”, using the census citizenship question as a case study. The sample lesson is one of many free lessons housed at illinoiscivics.org that incorporates resources from civic education partners, like Street Law and icivics, to connect educators with materials to enhance classroom practice.

To dive a bit deeper into the significance and the implications of the census, here are some resources to explore “poolside” this summer
  • Civics 101 from New Hampshire Public Radio aired a podcast about the census ready for classroom use.
  • This article from Pew Research provides background information about the history of the citizenship question on the census and possible impact on representation and funding.
  • Pulitzer Prize winning PolitiFact has created a fact sheet titled, “What you need to know about the citizenship question” that may prove helpful in answering student questions.
  • Five-Thirty-Eight has an article illustrating possible repercussions of the citizenship question in this article, “There is More at Stake with the Census’s Citizenship Question than Response Rates.”
  • Shawn’s original blog post links to several articles and organizations that are involved in the census and making sure diverse interests are represented in the process.
  • Consider joining one of our remaining illinoiscivics.org workshops to experience our Census and the Citizenship Question inquiry and other strategies for students to practice the knowledge, skills and dispositions of effective civic engagement.

Do you have any resources to help students understand the process and implications of the census? Please comment below. Together, we can prepare students for college, career and civic life.

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