2010 Census: Design Shows Progress, but Managing Technology Acquisitions, Temporary Field Staff, and Gulf Region Enumeration Require Attention

United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2007-04-24 monographic deposited born digital 26 p. GA 1.13:GAO-07-779T https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-07-779T P0b002ee18039e206 f:d07779t DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-24 GAOREPORTS-GAO-07-779T machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-07-779T GAO-07-779T Census Cost control Data collection Employee training Employees Hiring policies Hurricane Katrina Hurricane Rita Operational testing Personnel recruiting Risk management Staff utilization Technology Temporary employment 2010 Decennial Census Testimony A68706 2010 Census: Design Shows Progress, but Managing Technology Acquisitions, Temporary Field Staff, and Gulf Region Enumeration Require Attention The decennial census is a Constitutionally-mandated activity that produces data used to apportion congressional seats, redraw congressional districts, and allocate billions of dollars in federal assistance. The Census Bureau (Bureau) estimates the 2010 Census will cost $11.3 billion, making it the most expensive in the nation's history. This testimony discusses the Bureau's progress in preparing for the 2010 Census to (1) implement operations to increase the response rate and control costs; (2) use technology to increase productivity; (3) hire and train temporary staff; and (4) plan an accurate census in areas affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The testimony is based on previously issued GAO reports and work nearing completion in which GAO observed recruiting, hiring, and training practices in the 2006 test, and visited localities that participated in the Local Update of Addresses Dress Rehearsal as well in the Gulf Coast region. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-07-779T/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-07-779T.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-07-779T/pdf/GAOREPORTS-GAO-07-779T.pdf GAO-07-779T https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-07-779T Testimony GAO-07-779T; 2010 Census: Design Shows Progress, but Managing Technology Acquisitions, Temporary Field Staff, and Gulf Region Enumeration Require Attention; Census Cost control Data collection Employee training Employees Hiring policies Hurricane Katrina Hurricane Rita Operational testing Personnel recruiting Risk management Staff utilization Technology Temporary employment 2010 Decennial Census