Outcomes

Which outcomes communities select and how they prioritize them depends on local circumstances. The following list developed by the Improved Outcomes Project (1994a, Fig. A) provides a useful starting point for community discussion. A companion document (Improved Outcomes Project, 1994b) defines each outcome and provides information on where to find, and how to analyze, measurement data.

Higher Rates of:
• Healthy Births:

  • Lower rates of low birthweight births

  • Lower rates of late or no prenatal care

  • Lower rates of births to school-age mothers and fathers

• Two-Year-Olds Immunized

• Children Ready for School:

  • Immunizations complete

  • No uncorrected vision or hearing defects or other preventable or untreated health problem

  • Not abused or neglected

  • Living in own family or stable foster care

  • School-readiness traits as identified on sample basis, probably by kindergarten teachers

• Children Succeeding in Elementary, Middle, and High School:

  • Academic achievement measures (for example, high achievement in English, math, science, history and geography measured in 4th, 8th and 12th grade)

  • Lower rates of:

    • School drop-out, truancy

    • Retention in grade

    • Out-of school suspensions

    • Expulsions

    • Appropriate receipt of special education services

• Youngsters Avoiding:

  • School-age parenting

  • Substance abuse

  • Involvement in violence or criminal behavior, as victim or perpetrator, including:

    • Child abuse

    • Suicide

    • Homicide

    • Drug dealing

  • Idleness: not in school and not employed

• Young Adults Who are Self-Sufficient

• Children in Families with Incomes over the Poverty Line"

References