It is expected that American Indian, Black and Asian numbers will appear to decline, as some of those students will check more than one box and be reported as multiracial. The number of Hispanic boxes checked is expected to increase.
In the 2000 U.S. Census, 6.8 million people, or 2.4 percent of the population, picked more than one racial or ethnic category. Education Department officials say they hope to bring in many of the students who refused to answer the question, either because they did not see their mixed identity represented or out of protest to the narrow confines of the question. Still, many experts suspect that White students avoid the question out of fear that their non-minority status will set back their admissions chances.
The department intends to begin implementing the change beginning this school year, and is requiring all educational institutions to finish implementing it by 2009.
— By Christina Asquith
© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com
