Why is this survey important?

Data from NPEFS are used to calculate a state per pupil expenditure amount that is used in the formula for allocating a number of federal program funds to states and school districts, including: Title I of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, a reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Act of 1965; Impact Aid; and Indian Education. Other programs make use of state per pupil expenditure data indirectly because their allocation formulas are based, in whole, or in part, on state Title I allocations. The NPEFS data are useful to (1) chief officers of State Education Agencies (SEAs), (2) policymakers in the executive and legislative branches of federal and state governments, (3) education policy and public policy researchers, (4) the press, and (5) citizens interested in information about education finance.

What is the legal authority for conducting this survey?

Congress authorizes the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau to collect these data through the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (20 U.S.C. § 9543) and Title 13 United States Code, Section 8b respectively. NCES and the Economic Reimbursable Surveys Division (ERD) of the U.S. Census Bureau collaborate to collect public education finance data, with the Census Bureau acting as the primary collection agent for NPEFS.

What should you expect if you were selected to be in the survey?

• The NPEFS is an annual survey.
• The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 130.83 hours, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collection.
• This survey is a Web collection. Respondents can upload data files into the web application or key directly into a web form.

How can I verify that the person contacting me is a Census Bureau employee?

If you wish to verify a Census Bureau employee, you can call 1-800-331-4706 or you can use the staff search on our website.

Or, visit our page about Help for Survey Participants for more information.

Is participation mandatory?

Participation in the NPEFS survey is voluntary. However, when you participate, you are ensuring your state receives adequate Title I allocations. If you choose not to participate, your state’s Title I allocations may be impacted.

Where can I find the statistics produced by this survey?

The statistics produced by this survey provide state-level aggregate finance data for revenues and expenditures for public elementary and secondary education information for the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the five U.S. Island Areas (American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. To see examples of reports, tables, and graphs that use data from the survey, you can visit the NCES website.

Common Core of Data (CCD) - Common Core of Data (CCD) (ed.gov)

What if I have additional questions, recommendations, or issues that I need resolved?

If you have additional questions about the survey, or if you wish to speak to someone at the Census Bureau, you can contact the respondent advocate. The respondent advocate can address the concerns of those states that have been selected to participate in this survey, as well as share that feedback with those who manage the survey operations.

Respondent Advocate

If you are with a congressional office or have not yet found a resolution to your concern, contact the Office of the Respondent Advocate.