Future Ready PA Index

The Pennsylvania Department of Education recognizes that students – and the schools that serve them – are more than just standardized test scores.

Launched in November 2018, the Future Ready PA Index is the result of discussions with thousands of educators, parents, advocates, policymakers, and business leaders across Pennsylvania about how communities should evaluate schools.

The tool moves beyond a single, summative score to increase transparency around school and student group performance – it features a dashboard approach to present data and information. The Future Ready PA Index illustrates student and school success via three color-coded categories: academic performance, student progress, and college and career readiness, providing the public with a more comprehensive look at how Pennsylvania's schools are educating students.

Visit the Future Ready PA Index

What are people saying about the Future Ready PA Index?

"It's nice to see that the PA Future Ready Index incorporates a wider range of criteria to measure school performance such as career awareness activities, advance placement course offerings, and dual enrollment opportunities with higher education institutions. State test results are just part of the picture when looking at the sum and substance of student knowledge." - Parkland School District Superintendent Richard Sniscak.

"The dashboard presentation, consistent color coding, and user-friendly language all combine to allow easy interpretation by school personnel, parents, and the community." - St. Marys Area School District Assistant Superintendent James Wortman

"We feel that putting a greater emphasis on factors that will impact a student's success, such as career readiness, is an improvement over an emphasis focused more on standardized test scores." - Curwensville Area School District Superintendent Ronald Marchuck

Questions or comments?

Would you like to share feedback on the Future Ready PA Index? Do you have a question about this tool? Send an email to: ra-edfuturereadypa@pa.gov