Dear ASA Members,
I write to let you know that Ron Wasserstein posted to LinkedIn today regarding the placement on administrative leave of Dr. Peggy Carr as Commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ron-wasserstein_mondays-termination-of-scores-of-department-activity-7300567417787731968-wKFX?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAIVRssBCeBUuBioxXEMCbsUN4fPRyBPIDw.
The full text is below. This and Ron's prior posts are being compiled here, https://www.amstat.org/communications-from-the-executive-director, which is linked from a box on the ASA homepage.
Since I'm writing, let me share this new webpage to monitor, share updates, and invite information on the federal statistical agencies: https://www.amstat.org/the-nations-data-at-risk-year-two-ongoing-monitoring. We hope you will visit it and share with your networks.
Thank you,
Steve
The placement of Dr. Peggy Carr as Commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics on administrative leave is profoundly disappointing and indeed alarming, particularly given the absence of a professional cause or clear rationale. Unless quickly reversed, this action is likely to undermine trust in the agency and in government statistics.
Dr. Carr is eminently qualified to be Commissioner. Her service to NCES, the Department of Education, and the country goes back more than 30 years and includes several leadership positions and oversight of major programs. Prior to serving as commissioner, Carr was the associate commissioner for assessment at NCES, where she oversaw the National Assessment of Educational Progress and a portfolio of large-scale international assessments, including the Program for International Student Assessment and Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study. Dr. Carr also served as acting commissioner of NCES between 2016 and 2018. Since becoming Commissioner in 2021, Dr. Carr has been an effective leader in facing the agency's many challenges and accomplishments, most recently providing America's schools with timely information via the School Pulse Survey. The many recognitions of her exemplary service and leadership include the Meritorious Executive Rank Award in 2008 by President George W. Bush for sustained superior accomplishments in management of programs.
The Evidence Act, signed into law by President Trump in January 2019, mandates that statistical agencies "conduct objective statistical activities". This requirement is grounded in the trust placed in the agency and the integrity of its products. Without trust, an agency's statistical outputs are likely to be viewed as lacking objectivity. Trust is also crucial for encouraging individuals or entities-whether businesses, schools, or others-to share their data. Such trust requires professional, experienced, and respected leadership committed to upholding the integrity and objectivity of the agency's work. Removing the head of a statistical agency without justifiable professional cause is likely to erode this trust, as it will be perceived by many as an attempt to improperly influence official statistics or as a signal of distrust in the agency itself.
I urge the Administration to allow Dr. Carr to resume her leadership responsibilities of the National Center for Education Statistics. As I wrote in the post below, NCES information is an invaluable resource to families, governments, businesses, decision makers, and the education community at large, all of whom need objective and timely information to inform their decisions in the best interests of America's students and the country's future.
https://lnkd.in/ewHTZzVR
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Steve Pierson
Director of Science Policy
American Statistical Association
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-11-2025 18:19
From: Steve Pierson
Subject: Ensuring the integrity of federal statistics
Dear Members,
I write to let you know that Ron Wasserstein posted to LinkedIn today regarding the cancellation of nearly all of the contracts that the National Center for Education Statistics relies on for its data collection: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ron-wasserstein_mondays-termination-of-scores-of-department-activity-7295173902492733441-EKFW?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop. It's also pasted below. I believe this post speaks for itself but I'm happy address any questions you may have: spierson@amstat.org.
Here are a few news reports as well as a statement from the American Educational Research Association and COPAFS:
et me remind you that ASA leadership and staff continue to monitor various developments. Please continue to contact us, including through this anonymous JotForm survey.
Thank you,
Steve
Monday's termination of scores of Department of Education contracts includes virtually all contracts that the National Center for Education Statistics relies on for its data collection and numerous products, according to various news outlets.
Without NCES products, families, communities, and decisionmakers throughout the country will be left in the dark on many aspects of our education system. NCES's reports on the status of student learning on state-by-state and international basis are widely used by parents, administrators, and policymakers to make decisions on school programs based on what's working and isn't working. Students and parents use NCES resources to monitor school safety and help locate public and private schools and colleges that meet their needs. Policymakers in the private and public sector use NCES products to develop programs, allocate resources, and track the latest trends in education. States, localities, and institutions around the United States use the data to compare themselves with others on tuition, salaries, staffing, expenditures, student achievement, graduation rates, and many other measures. Businesses use NCES data to inform their recruitment and siting for new facilities. Federal, state, and local governments as well as businesses and corporations used the data to determine the supply of labor with specific skills and training. Researchers use data to study progressions from early childhood through postsecondary education and into early careers to help answer questions such as whether students' high school academic achievement is related to college enrollment and completion.
I call on the administration and Congress to immediately rectify the situation so that NCES can continue being an invaluable resource to families, communities, and policymakers who need objective and timely information to inform their decisions in the best interests of America's students and the country's future.
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Steve Pierson
Director of Science Policy
American Statistical Association
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