Metrics for Prosperity in Waco

Using effective quantitative metrics to represent qualitative goals is essential for accurately measuring holistic community improvement, tracking progress, and determining focus areas. Using Prosper Waco’s proposed goals to measure improvements in education, health, and financial security as a starting point, I determined the specific tools, metrics, and exact numbers to effectively quantify Waco’s community improvement. In education, this included researching the options for tools to measure readiness to learn in children entering kindergarten, analyzing 3rd grade reading levels, and establishing the best metrics for career readiness. I also conducted statistical analyses on data involving health insurance, food insecurity, community wellness, and teen pregnancy, and used the results to determine the best statistics for measuring the effectiveness of attempts to improve health and wellness for the residents of Waco. Finally, determining metrics for financial security involved analyzing data on poverty, employment, and post-graduation achievement. This report outlines the quantitative goals that Prosper Waco may use to measure improvement and the research that drew me to the conclusions I found.