The Committee on National Statistics first issued Principles and Practices for a Federal Statistical Agency in 1992. Beginning in early 2001, with the second edition, it committed to updating “P&P” every four years to coincide with a new presidential administration or second term. As CNSTAT comes to the close of its 40th year, it will prepare and release in early 2013 the 5th edition of P&P. This slim document underscores for the executive and legislative branches of government the important public good provided by strong federal statistical agencies.

Current Project

Fifth Edition of Principles and Practices for a Federal Statistical Agency (P&P)

Highlights from the Fourth Edition of Principles and Practices for a Federal Statistical Agency (P&P)

Statements made by other statistical agencies in support of P&P.

Letter to Senator McConnell regarding Presidential Appointments, June 20, 2011

http://www.amstat.org/policy/pdfs/S.679BJS-NCES_McConnell.pdf 

American Statistical Association Endorses Principles and Practices for a Federal Statistical Agency, April 30, 2009

http://www.amstat.org/newsroom/pressreleases/ASAEndorsesPrinciplesandPractices.pdf

Opening Statement by Dr. Pascal D. Forgione, Jr., U.S. Commissioner of Education Statistics, May 27, 1999

http://nces.ed.gov/Pressrelease/goodmorn.asp

Statement of Commitment to Scientific Integrity by Principal Statistical Agencies

The scientific integrity statement, which was adopted by 13 statistical agencies in response to an OSTP directive, references P&P along with OMB statistical policy standards as the bedrock for the statistical agencies’ scientific integrity.  The agencies designated as "principle statistical agencies" who have adopted this statement, are listed on the first page of the PDF.

http://www.census.gov/aboutus/pdf/Scientific_Integrity_Statement_of_the_Principal_Statistical_Agencies.pdf

Definition of a State Statistical Entity

Adapted by Tom Gallagher, Manager, Research & Planning, Wyoming Department of Employment, (2007).

http://doe.state.wy.us/lmi/statistical_entity.pdf 

OMB Statistical Policy Directive No. 4: Release and Dissemination of Statistical Products Produced by Federal Statistical Agencies

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/omb/fedreg/2008/030708_directive-4.pdf

Related Reports

Letter to the Office of Management and Budget Director on Principles and Practices for a Federal Statistical Agency (2003)