2000 Census: Coverage Measurement Programs' Results, Costs, and Lessons Learned
GAO-03-287
Published: Jan 29, 2003. Publicly Released: Jan 29, 2003.
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Highlights
To help measure the quality of the 2000 Census and to possibly adjust for any errors, the U.S. Census Bureau (Bureau) conducted the Accuracy and Coverage Evaluation (A.C.E.) program. However, after obligating around $207 million for A.C.E. and its predecessor program, Integrated Coverage Measurement (I.C.M.), from fiscal years 1996 through 2001, the Bureau did not use either program to adjust the census numbers. Concerned about the amount of money the Bureau spent on I.C.M. and A.C.E. programs and what was produced in return, the subcommittee asked us to review the objectives and results of the programs, the costs of consultants, and how best to track future coverage measurement activities.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Commerce | To help ensure that any future coverage measurement efforts achieve their intended objectives and costs can be properly tracked, the Secretary of Commerce should direct the Bureau of the Census to, in conjunction with Congress and other stakeholders, come to a decision soon on whether and how coverage measurement will be used in the 2010 Census. |
Closed – Implemented
The Bureau concurred with the recommendation and decided that it would not plan on developing a procedure for adjusting the 2010 census data for reapportionment or redistricting purposes, but that it did plan to fully evaluate the accuracy of the coverage of the 2010 census to help improve enumeration methodologies for the future.
|
| Department of Commerce | To help ensure that any future coverage measurement efforts achieve their intended objectives and costs can be properly tracked, the Secretary of Commerce should direct the Bureau of the Census to consider incorporating lessons learned from its coverage measurement experience during the 2000 Census, such as (1) demonstrating both the operational and technical feasibility of its coverage measurement methods, (2) determining the level of geography at which coverage can be reliably measured, (3) keeping Congress and other stakeholders informed of its plans, and (4) adequately testing coverage measurement prior to full implementation. |
Closed – Implemented
The Bureau concurred with the recommendation and indicated it has included these items as part of its research, development, and testing program for 2010.
|
| Department of Commerce | To help ensure that any future coverage measurement efforts achieve their intended objectives and costs can be properly tracked, the Secretary of Commerce should direct the Bureau of the Census to ensure that the Bureau's financial management systems can capture and report program activities early in the decennial process and ensure that project costs are monitored for accuracy and completeness. |
Closed – Implemented
In response to the recommendation to improve its accounting for such projects and beginning with FY 2004, the Bureau has established and will use a separate project code for coverage measurement efforts related to the 2010 census.
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CensusData collectionPopulation statisticsProgram evaluationCost analysisCost controlLessons learnedFinancial managementData errorsFederal assistance programs