Why am I receiving this form from the school for a 3rd time? I have already told my kids' teachers and principals that I am unwilling to complete the form. The principals and teachers have both told me that the form was mandatory. Working in the HR field for over 5 years now, I know that this form is not mandatory. Any form requesting information in relation to race or ethnicity has ALWAYS been optional. However, the school has been hounding me via phone and resending the papers home for me to complete the form. I know that the form is used for statistical data and I explained that to the schools. However, one of the teachers told me that if I do not make a selection, the school district will make a selection for me. I explained to the teacher that if a selection is made for me, the data will be considered inaccurate. She went on to explain that the selection could harm my children later on in life when my kids decide to apply to colleges, universities, grants, and scholarships. As bold as I am, I told her that if a simple ethnicity/race form adversely affects my kids future, I will remember her name (as well as the other teachers and principals) and note this date in time. There will be repercussions if the incorrect ethnicity/race is used.
It clearly states on the form (go to ritter. Tea. State. Tx.Us/taa./is043009.html to see the form; check under the "For Students" heading) that the parent is not required to complete the form.
Furthermore, it also states that if the parent does not complete the form then,
"the school district employ observer identification as a last resort to gather this information for federal reporting."
So, the US Department of Education is now allowing the School District to look at the child and make an assumption as to the ethnicity/race of the child.
It would definitely make more sense to count those families that decline to respond out of the statistical data for reporting purposes!!!
Unbelieveable
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