North Allegheny School District gauges success through unconventional measures

Historically, school districts are measured through graduation rates, rankings and test scores. However, the North Allegheny School District places equal emphasis on things like future preparation, school climate, and student and staff wellness. Because all of these items are important, North Allegheny developed a framework that allows the district to more holistically measure success.

During the 2016-17 school year, a team of district representatives researched this topic and collected feedback from a variety of stakeholders regarding how they might measure success beyond the typical metrics of test scores, graduation rates and rankings. “We believe that there’s more to success than just numbers and lists,” added Dr. Robert Scherrer, superintendent of North Allegheny. This led to the creation of the Measuring Success Framework, which serves as an important communication tool regarding what North Allegheny measures and why. Data collected through the framework is analyzed annually and shared with the community through the Measuring Success Annual Report.

The first Measuring Success Annual Report debuted in the winter of 2017, proving to be a true reflection of the dedication and hard work of both students and staff members. Additionally, the Measuring Success Annual Report replaced the district’s traditional annual report, a publication which focused solely on test scores. While the Measuring Success Annual Report contains many elements of a typical annual report, including student demographics and financial information, it also paints a clear picture of the district’s achievements, focus and values as the team continues to prepare all students for success in a changing world. The 2018 Measuring Success Annual Report can be found on the district’s website.