Luverne government students study issues surrounding U.S. Census

With the 2020 Census coming on April 1, teacher David Rysdam used the timely topic as an assignment in his Luverne High School government class.
“In many ways the census is more important and has a potentially greater effect on local communities than any legislation passed in the federal government,” Rysdam said.
He invited Luverne City Clerk Jessica Mead to the classroom to share information from her perspective as chairwoman of the city’s Complete Count Committee.
“I hope the students that took part in this exercise will go home and tell their parents and guardians what they learned about the census and why it is important,” Mead said.
As a follow-up to Mead’s presentation, students wrote short essays about what they’d learned.
“What I learned from this unit was that the census is an essential part of our country,” wrote junior Martin Anderson.
“I used to think it was only about counting people, but now I know better. The true essence of the census is helping people. It allows us to tailor how we get aid to the people who need it.”
Junior Kameron Keene echoed that sentiment in his report.
“The process in the end really focuses on where to put the money,” he wrote. “This is the government’s and organizations and private businesses money we’re talking about. Knowing who’s who and where they are, businesses are better suited to know where to put their money.”
Junior Hunter Baker said he now recognizes the importance of census data for public planning.
“It helps with knowing where roads may need to be put in. The census is important to determine how many kids are in each district,” he wrote. “Without the census, the U.S. wouldn’t know how many citizens it has and would be a lot less organized.”
Students also learned the important fact that census data is kept private and confidential.
“The information given is kept safe, and no one else can see it,” said junior Eduardo Godine.
“It’ll help us all grow together.”
Mead thanked Rysdam for inviting her to his classroom and said she was encouraged after reading the student essays.
“I see they understood and retained the information,” Mead said.
“I am extremely happy with the outcome and hope they are able to share what they know with others this year and every 10 years that Census Day comes around.”
Rysdam said teaching students about the impact of the census is an important lesson in civics and government.
“A head count of the nation’s population seems like a small thing; however, it has far-reaching ramifications that affect absolutely everyone,” Rysdam said.
“If we do the census right and everyone that can be counted is counted, we can better meet the needs of people in industry, in public goods, in representation.”