A mid-year update on the health of federal statistics, data science certification, and upcoming events.
federal statistical agencies
Reenvisioning NCES to Build a Stronger Education Data Ecosystem
In August, the American Statistical Association released “A Vision and Strategy for Remaking the National Center for Education Statistics,” a report from the ASA’s project on re-envisioning NCES. Input and feedback from the ASA community is encouraged.
Meeting the Moment: ASA Community Efforts to Modernize Federal Statistics
“Modernizing the Federal Statistical System: A Roadmap for Action” recommends 30 actions to support a more adaptive and resilient federal statistical system in light of recent challenges and disruptions.
‘Practical Significance,’ Take Two: The Data We Need: The State of Federal Statistics
Two veteran leaders in federal statistics, Nancy Potok and Connie Citro, discuss with the “Practical Significance” hosts the urgent challenges facing US statistical agencies and their work with the ASA on assessing agency health and advancing modernization of the federal statistical system.
Obituary: David F. Findley
David F. Findley passed away in June 2025 of complications from Alzheimer’s disease. Findley had a long career with the US Census Bureau, as well as numerous other collaborations.
ASA Raises Concerns About USDA’s Proposed Relocation of Key Statistical Agencies
The ASA recently submitted comments on the USDA’s reorganization plan. The comments highlight that this move could disrupt the production of vital agricultural data and compromise the effectiveness of both agencies, ultimately affecting those who use the data, including America’s farmers, ranchers, those living in rural communities, and policymakers.
ASA Urges Protection for Scientific, Statistical Roles in Federal Workforce Rule
The ASA is asking the government not to include scientific and statistical jobs in a new rule that could make it easier to fire federal workers, saying these roles should stay separate from politics so the public can trust the data and decisions based on it.
ASA, GMU Team on Project to Assess Health of Federal Statistical Agencies
Recently, a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation funded a collaboration between the American Statistical Association and George Mason University to assess the health of the federal statistical agencies. A team made up of ASA members will begin reporting their assessment in the first quarter of 2024, with updates annually thereafter.
New Report on US Data Infrastructure: An Interview with Robert Groves
The first of three reports from a National Academies Committee on National Statistics panel explains why the US needs a revamped infrastructure. Committee chair Robert M. Groves answers questions about the panel’s vision.
Establishing and Maintaining Trust in a Federal Statistical Agency: A Discussion from the National Academies
The Office of Management and Budget, Congress, and National Academies deem professional independence necessary for an agency to establish trust in its products. Professional independence includes an agency’s autonomy over its budget, information technology, hiring, publications, contracting, and data collection and analysis. To further the understanding of the importance of statistical agency autonomy, we include the autonomy portions of a discussion between Robert Groves and Hermann Habermann, James Lynch, and Charles Rothwell.