Everyone Counts

Parents and Staff Members:

If you haven’t already, please respond to the 2020 Census by the end of the school year. In less than 10 minutes, you can help ensure that we receive our share of funding for our students that will last a decade.

We are eight weeks into data collection for the 2020 U.S. Census, and the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) leadership has been actively monitoring Georgia’s self-response rates. Georgia’s response rate is currently 55.3 percent, putting us in 34th place out of all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico. We can do better than that!

It is absolutely critical that our state has an accurate census count. The data collection from this will be the basis for all levels of legislative representation for the next decade and determines the amount of federal funding that will be distributed to programs in our community. The funding from the 2020 Census impacts programs that we use every day; such as Title I Grants, the National School Lunch Program, the Special Education Grant Program (IDEA), and many more.

There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought a series of challenges to our community. However, this means that it is more important than ever that we remain unified and do our best to help and serve our children and remain dedicated to their education.

Thankfully, it is easier than ever to respond to the 2020 Census. Georgians can do it from the safety of their homes in one of three ways: online at my2020census.gov, over the phone at 1-844-330-2020, or by mail using the paper questionnaire they received.

Remember… In Georgia, Every One Counts. 

Thank you!