Question about ethnicity and race

DVFlyer wrote: Chloe started first grade this week. One of the papers that was sent home was an ethnicity and race form. There were two parts.

Part one asked whether she was of Hispanic or Latino ethnic background.

The second part asked what race she was.

While I have seen the race portion before (which I question the purpose of), I wonder why there is an additional section for "ethnic" background and why only Hispanic or Latino?

Anyone work for a school who knows the reasons?

BAC'sMom replied: Your talking about the ethnicity and race data questionnaire right? We received the same paperwork here in Texas. I am not sure what that is all about and I questioned that myself. But I went ahead and filled it out 3 times.

Did it look like this?
http://www.ccity.esc14.net/Files/Texas%20P...estionnaire.pdf

BAC'sMom replied: I found some info that might help explain. It is from the Austin ISD.

http://www.austinisd.org/academics/parents...hnicity_FAQ.pdf

DVFlyer replied: Good work! Yup, that's it.

Reading the FAQ raised more questions of course.

Thanks!

cameragirl21 replied: because Hispanic is not really a race, it's an ethnicity...calling it a race is an invention of the US, mainly for affirmative action purposes.
That said, one can be of the white race, of hispanic heritage, or of the black race, of hispanic heritage, etc. So I guess they are getting down to the nitty gritty at Chloe's school.
As for why only Hispanic, well, because you live in Southern California...I would expect the same here in Miami, where you're better off speaking Spanish but not English than English but not Spanish.
I learned Spanish as soon as I moved here...my middle eastern looks lend themselves to being confused with a Cubanita here, and I consider that a huge compliment, btw.

DVFlyer replied: I know what you mean, Jennifer, but I still don't understand why they ask a separate question on whether you are hispanic/ latino or "other".

I can only guess it has to do with how they are funded through the government.

A&A'smommy replied: I just asked my husband who works in our school system and he says it has to do with reporting purposes. It doesn't have anything to do with funding though that has to do with poverty levels and a few other things.

1CoolMom replied: I have no idea!

DVFlyer replied:
Thank you for checking.

So what is the reporting purpose needed to distinguish between Hispanic/ Latino or "other"?

I know you can't answer this, but I still don't understand why, if they need more "reporting", they wouldn't have all of the other ethnicities.

Not to mention I still don't understand the difference between Ethnicity and Race in regards to reporting purposes.

A&A'smommy replied:
http://www.brevard.k12.fl.us/portals/paren...explanation.pdf

A&A'smommy replied: ahhh should have known it had to do with the no child let behind

DVFlyer replied: Thanks for the .pdf.



So I guess "all individuals" doesn't include other ethnicities other than Hispanic/ Latino and aren't included in the "diversity of the population"???

Me thinks it has to do with how much money the school system gets from educating those of Hispanic/ Latino ethnicity. Otherwise you'd think they would have all other ethnic backgrounds similar to what they have for race.

BAC'sMom replied:
I think you are right in your thinking

I would be curious to know if this form is being filling out by parents in all 50 states or just certain states.

MommyToAshley replied:
I've never filled it out or seen it before. Ashley's normal paperwork asks what race and has all options, but that's about it. Maybe it's because she goes to a private shcool, I don't know if the public schools fill out this form or not.

coasterqueen replied:
We go to public schools and have never seen this form. Just one quick question on another form asking race and giving you options.