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 Release Information CB09-CN.30 **Contact:**  Jennifer Smits
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 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  MONDAY, NOV. 2, 2009 Secretary Locke, Census Bureau Launch National 'Census in Schools' Initiative to Improve the 2010 Count BALTIMORE ― With the 2010 Census  less than five months away, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and Census  Bureau Director Robert M. Groves today visited a Baltimore high school to help  launch a new initiative to help local school districts educate young people  about the U.S. Constitution and the importance of the census. "We  are thrilled to launch the Census in Schools program," Locke said at Digital  Harbor High School in Baltimore. "The census is a vital part of our democracy  and children have historically been undercounted. When local schools decide to  include census ideas in their curriculum, kids will learn about the important  role the census has played throughout American history and increase their  awareness of the upcoming 2010 Census."; Scholastic  Inc. -- a global children's publishing, education and media company -- has  worked with the Census Bureau to develop the standards-specific supplementary  education materials, which are being provided to all 118,000 schools  nationwide. It is expected that schools will decide on their own whether to  include the material as part of their standard curriculum. The Census in Schools  materials are available free online at <www.census.gov/schools> for educators, students, parents,  home-schoolers and the public. Teachers can use the lesson plans ― as they are  or adapted as needed ― to teach a host of topics including mapping, math  concepts, data literacy and civics. For  students who come from homes where English may be a second language or where  there's a low level of information about the decennial count, the Census in  Schools program represents an opportunity for students to teach their parents  about the importance of participating in this national, civic exercise and the central role it plays in the annual allocation of more than $400 billion of government funding. "The Census in Schools program offers creative ways for students of all ages to think about their community and how this important constitutional responsibility can impact it"  Groves said. ";Kids cannot vote but the census offers a real way they can actively participate in our democracy. We hope schools will find some useful ideas to supplement their regular curricula." Available resources online include: **Lessons Plans:** Materials will feature skill-building activities in map literacy, graphing, reading and civic responsibility.

**Teaching Ideas:** Provides ways teachers can incorporate census information into the classroom.

**Facts for Features:** A compilation of facts about special days, including anniversaries and observances such as Women's History Month, Cinco de Mayo, Back to School and more.

**Broadcast, Photo and Audio Services:** Easy-to-access research opportunities include photos and videos.

**Quick Facts:** Quick, easy access to facts for students and teachers to learn about people, business and geography for the nation or states, counties or large cities.

**Maps:** Teachers can print and post maps in their classroom enabling students to closely study real-world census data and graphically see the demographics and population distribution of the United States. Home schools can access the same materials online at <www.census.gov/schools>. For more information about the Census in Schools program or to learn about how to participate, visit <www.census.gov/schools>.
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