Advancing Equity: Data and Analytic Tools for Federal Policies and Programs
On his Inauguration Day, President Biden issued an executive order requiring the federal government to advance racial equity and support for underserved and marginalized communities through its programs and policies. The order makes clear that questions of equity are not a separate domain of policymaking. Rather, to dismantle systems and structures of racism, equity implications must be considered at every turn.
The executive order launches a process across government to explore tools and techniques that can assess the equity of federal programs and policies, engage with communities, fairly allocate resources, and expand the collection and use of data to measure equity.
Urban Institute experts are committed to advancing racial equity. We are providing evidence, insights, and new tools and techniques that can be deployed in service of promoting equity in federal policy and practice.
Biden’s Executive Orders Inject Racial Equity into Regulatory Review
The administration’s new directives provide an opportunity to not only incorporate but also center racial equity in regulatory review.
New Data Tools and Methods Can Help Federal Policymakers Create More Equitable Tax Policy
Although the Internal Revenue Service does not ask about a tax filer’s race and ethnicity, tax laws still create different outcomes depending on a person’s race and ethnicity because of existing inequities.
Microsimulation Models Can Help Dismantle Structural Inequities in Federal Programs
Microsimulation models are powerful tools that can help answer questions about the potential equity impacts of existing and new policies.
To Advance Racial Equity, Releasing Disaggregated Data while Protecting Privacy Will Be Key
What should federal agencies consider to ensure communities most vulnerable to privacy attacks don’t become more at risk?
Community Voice Is Expertise
Four principles can help create an environment that fosters community engagement in research and policy analysis.
How the Federal Government Can Use Data to Make the Most of the Executive Order on Racial Equity
Establishing the Equitable Data Working Group is an important step to improving federal data infrastructure. What comes next?
Data Are Essential to Prioritizing Racial and Ethnic Equity in COVID-19 Vaccination
Reports from states with available data suggest vaccines have not been distributed equitably across racial and ethnic groups so far.
An Equitable Return to Early Education Demands a Smart Approach to Data
Together, current data, rigorous methods, and targeted resources can get American early education back on track.