Census Report Spins Data, Urban League Contends.

Business Editors

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 6, 2002

Data Omissions in the Areas of Education and Racial Disparities Do Not Reflect Detrimental Effects of the Move to TANF or Racial Disparities

in Service Delivery

The National Urban League institute for Opportunity and Equality voiced concern today over the Census Bureau's report, "Work and Work-Related Activities of Mothers Receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families: 1996, 1998, and 2000," released today.

According to Dr. William Spriggs, Director of the National Urban League Institute for Opportunity and Equality, "It is unusual for the Census to release reports tied to policy debates. This report, through the omission of some data, in effect, spins the data to shield TANF from negative assessments."

Dr. Spriggs cited two areas where data was omitted: one in the area of education, and one in the area of racial disparities with respect to access to services to help support work by recipients.

Education

On Tuesday, June 4 the National Urban League Institute for Opportunity and Equality released its report, "Negative Effects of TANF on College Enrollment" (available by calling 202-898-1602, ext. 22), that illustrated how between 1996 and 1998, the implementation of TANF significantly reduced college enrollment of welfare recipients when compared to other poor women who were non-recipients.

Oddly, the League points out, the June 6 Census report lacks the comparison between the types of training under the AFDC program in 1996 and the training received in 1998 under the TANF program.

"It is curious that the Census report notes that the least prevalent form of training in 1998 was participation in formal educational programs, such as obtaining a G.E.D., taking college courses, literacy training, and courses in English as a second language, when it observes in a footnote that under TANF some states restrict education as a choice for recipients by not considering it 'work related.' Dr. Spriggs said.

"While many other tables in the report show data for 1996 and 2000, this report only shows data for 1998. But the National Urban League Institute for Opportunity & Equality report shows that state restrictions put in place by 1998 help to explain the decline in college enrollment and significantly reduced attendance for African Americans."

Racial Disparities

In regards to race, the National Urban League Institute for Opportunity & Equality notes that the Census report breaks down much of its data by race, using several tables that highlight the race of recipients. However, the report fails to report racial disparities in how the program functions.

"This is most glaring in the case of Table 9, which shows work support offered to TANF mothers" Dr. Spriggs said. "Work done by the Chicago Urban League, the University of Maryland's African American Leadership Institute and Dr. Susan Gooden of Virginia Tech all show racial disparities in the provision of services to support work."

Yet, he points out, the Census report shows no racial breakdown in who did, or did not receive services. "While Table 9 of the Census report shows all types of work support, just by example, the National Urban League Institute for Opportunity & Equality examined the Census data to look at transportation assistance.

The Institute found that the Census data shows that white TANF mothers were twice as likely to receive transportation assistance than black TANF mothers. Had Table 9 been broken down by race, we could have seen the disparities in other work support categories as well."

Dr. Spriggs concluded, "The Census Bureau strives to be an objective resource. And, the League generally views them as true professionals, dedicated to the mission of providing important information to the American people. But, regrettably, this report falls short of that tradition. Its omissions are glaring, and act to bias the report."