The increase in the number of universities granting statistics and biostatistics degrees also continues steadily.
National Center for Education Statistics
2020 Bachelor’s Degree Recipients in Statistics Show Resilience
This spring’s respondents to the ASA survey of 2020 bachelor’s graduates reported a challenging, stressful, and prolonged job search, although the results also show an unemployment rate roughly the same as the rate for the 2016 and 2017 respondents, higher median salaries, and hiring by a variety of companies.
ASA, COPAFS, Partners Urge Bolstering of Federal Statistical Agencies
Federal statistics have undergirded our democracy, society, and economy since the nation’s founding. Even as their importance has increased over the centuries—especially recently with the focus on evidence-based policymaking—the agencies producing the data have been neglected, lost important autonomy and statutory protections, and been pushed deeper into the federal bureaucracy.
FY21 Federal Budget Finalized
![Figure 1 shows the budgets of the seven mid-sized statistical agencies normalized to their FY09 levels, along with the GDP deflator to account for inflation. Budget restructuring for ERS in FY15 and ORES in FY19 are accounted for in the graph to allow for comparison over this time period. One-time moving costs in FY16 for BEA are also omitted. [Key: BEA, Bureau of Economic Analysis; BJS, Bureau of Justice Statistics; BTS, Bureau of Transportation Statistics; ERS, USDA Economic Research Service; NCSES, NSF National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics; ORES, Social Security Administration Office of Research, Evaluation, and Statistics; SOI, IRS Statistics of Income Division]](https://magazine.amstat.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FY_Figure1_-150x150.jpg)
The NIH, NSF, and several federal statistical agencies received increases, but many are facing fiscal challenges after years of purchasing power loss.
Federal Statistical Agencies Praised for Pandemic Response
The first half of 2020 was a busy time for the federal statistical system, requiring quick responses and nimble adaptability from agencies on several fronts.
National Center for Education Statistics Faces Program Cuts
The National Center for Education Statistics is facing a staffing and budget crisis. Important programs may be cut unless Congress and the Department of Education intervene.
Statistics and Science Policy
In her September column, Karen Kafadar talks about the ASA’s Science Policy Department and the director of science policy’s extensive efforts to keep statistics in the science limelight.
Many Celebrate NCES During Anniversary Fete
The National Center for Education Statistics celebrated its 150th anniversary on November 15, 2017. The event featured two congressional speakers and other notable commentators. It also drew an overflow audience of more than 100 to the Dirksen Senate Building and more than 200 livestream viewers.
FY17 Requests for NIH, NSF, Federal Statistical Agencies Largely Positive
President Barack Obama’s requested budget for Fiscal Year 2017 maintains his record of proposing generally healthy increases for the NIH, NSF, and many federal statistical agencies, but realizing increases of any amount will be challenging.
Nominations Requested for Jeanne E. Griffith Mentoring Award
Nominations for the Jeanne E. Griffith Mentoring Award will be accepted beginning in January 2015. This recognition is awarded annually to a supervisor, technical director, team coordinator, or other member of federal, state, or local government statistical staff for his or her efforts in supporting the work and developing the careers of junior statisticians.