Home :: The Civic Index Categories and Indicators

I.	Education Leadership of Local Elected Officials
1.	Elected officials take on difficult issues, regardless of political consequence
2.	Elected officials demonstrate a sustained commitment to education and make education a top priority
3.	Elected officials advocate for adequate funding
4.	Elected officials effectively communicate with constituents on education issues
5.	Elected officials promote a clear agenda that advances student achievement
II.	Commitment to the Values of Tolerance and Inclusiveness
1.	School leadership reflects the diversity of the community
2.	Schools provide the same educational opportunities to students of all backgrounds
3.	Diverse groups have a say in community decision-making
4.	Schools provide quality services for special needs students (English language learners, special education students, etc.)
5.	The student population in local public schools reflects the diversity of the community
III.	Active Parents
1.	Parents participate in school-related parent organizations
2.	Parents stay informed about key education issues
3.	Parents participate in school governance and decision making
4.	Parents participate actively in their child's education, such as volunteering in the school, getting their child to school on time, or doing homework with their child
5.	Parents participate on school councils or decision making panels
6.	Schools encourage active parent participation/contributions
IV.	Strong Civic Organizations (Parent, Philanthropic, Civic/Religious Organizations)
1.	Local organizations create opportunities to gather citizen input on education issues and to inform community members about where candidates for elected office stand on these issues
2.	Local organizations provide help for those most in need and pay special attention to low-performing schools
3.	Local organizations share resources with schools, including expertise, funding, volunteers, and coordination of health and social services
4.	Local organizations define and advocate for public school accountability
5.	The public is actively involved in community organizations that partner with the schools
V.	Utilization of School Performance Data to Improve School Quality
1.	Information about school performance is widely communicated and readily available in a form and language that the community can understand
2.	Schools make parents and the community full partners in developing and supporting strategies for student academic progress
3.	Information about school performance is explained to the community through a variety of channels, including the school district, local government, nonprofit organizations, and the media
4.	Teachers and school staff are properly trained in how to use data to engage parents and the community to improve student achievement
VI.	Youth Involvement
1.	Community and schools provide students with the education and skills to effectively participate in the political and civic process
2.	Schools encourage students to participate in school and local district governance through such activities as student council, student advisory boards, and/or student members of the school board
3.	Youth regularly engage in community service and volunteer activities
4.	Youth are perceived as assets and contributors to the community
VII.	Partnerships with Higher Education
1.	Higher education institutions partner with school districts to resolve school improvement challenges, including bolstering the quality of teaching and learning, and supporting schools that need special assistance
2.	Institutions provide shared use of college facilities, college faculty, and courses
3.	College/university students provide support to local schools through volunteering, service-learning, and internships
VIII.	Knowledge of and Voting for School Board
1.	Individuals monitor school board decisions and policies
2.	Individuals vote regularly in school board elections
3.	Individuals belong to an organization that regularly addresses the school board or discusses school board policies at its meetings
IX.	Active Business Community
1.	Local business leaders work closely with other community and civic leaders to identify school needs and address critical school issues
2.	Local businesses offer paid time and other incentives for their employees to be regularly involved in school activities
3.	Local business leaders provide resources and expertise to school boards and district administrations around school improvement
X.	Media Coverage
1.	The local media objectively covers key education issues in-depth, and consistently throughout the year
2.	The local media reports on the education positions of candidates for school board, mayor, state legislator, and other key offices
3.	The local media provides in-depth reporting about how elected officials vote and the extent to which they keep their promises