Metric: Increase the number of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) summer academies.  

Explanation: STEM Summer Academies are offered for Oklahoma students in grades 8-12 as a way to increase interest in STEM fields of study.

Metric: Increase the percentage of high school graduates meeting all college readiness benchmarks on the ACT.

Explanation: Good performance on college entrance exams is a common requirement for college admission. More students meeting benchmarks means that more students are prepared to attend college or postsecondary training.

Metric: Decrease the percentage of students enrolled in remedial coursework in college. 

Explanation: This measures the percentage of incoming college freshman who are required to take non-credit level courses due to low ACT or equivalent aptitude scores prior to receiving permission to enroll in credit-level courses.

Metric: Increase the percentage of eligible children enrolled in Head Start.

Explanation: Children eligible for Head Start are ages 3-4 whose families are at or below 100% of the federal poverty line, homeless, or receiving public assistance. Head Start provides a comprehensive program of health, education, parental engagement and social services, and services for children with disabilities.

Metric: Increase the number of families receiving early learning family support and coaching services.  

Explanation: Children who participate in home visiting coaching and support programs have fewer Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and are less likely to engage in negative behaviors.

Metric: Increase the number of National Board Certified Teachers. 

Explanation: National Board Certified Teachers demonstrate that their teaching methods meet district, state and national standards for effective practices through a rigorous, peer-reviewed and performance-based process.

Metric: Decrease the number of Emergency Teaching Certificates (ETC) issued. 

Explanation: This measures the reliance of schools on educators teaching outside of their certified subject area and those new to the profession who are uncredentialed. Teacher quality can be affected by educators teaching outside of their area of expertise.

Metric: Decrease the high school dropout rate.  

Explanation: Dropping out of high school reduces  opportunities for employment, postsecondary training, or college. Research has linked dropouts with higher incarceration rates, higher unemployment rates and increased likelihood of requiring public assistance.

Metric: Increase the number of exams receiving test fee assistance for eligible low-income students taking an Advanced Placement (AP) exam.  

Explanation: AP provides the opportunity to take college-level courses in a high-school setting, with exam scores of 3-5 counting toward college credit at many institutions. There is strong evidence that participation in AP correlates with student achievement, college readiness, and college completion.

Metric: Increase the percentage of eligible students who receive the Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant (OTAG).  

Explanation: This grant is targeted toward assisting college students with the least financial resources. OTAG provides important financial assistance to low-income students to help them earn a college degree. 

Metric: Increase the number of degrees and certificates obtained.

Explanation: This measures  postsecondary degrees awarded annually by state system institutions, including credentials, certificates, associate, baccalaureate, master's and doctoral degrees. Advanced education allows workers to earn the skills and credentials be successful to helps to meet Oklahoma's workforce needs.

Metric: Increase the average graduation rate at research tier institutions. 

Explanation: This measures how well an institution is serving its students and how successful it is in helping the state achieve a larger percentage of the population with a higher education degree to prepare for entry into the workforce. Research tier universities include the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State Univeristy.

Metric: Increase the percentage of students who are not chronically absent.

Explanation:  Students who are chronically absent are those who miss 10% or more of instructional days. Chronically absent students face a substantially increased risk of falling behind academically.

Metric: Increase student mastery of grade-level academic standards for Mathematics across successive grade levels.  

Explanation: This indicator conveys student progress in mastering key knowledge, skills, and abilities from one grade level to the next.

Metric: Increase the percentage of students with disabilities who are at the proficient level in math.  

Explanation: This measures the proficiency level of special education students on statewide math assessments. Students with disabilities participate in the Oklahoma Core Curriculum Test with or without accommodations and the Oklahoma Alternate Assessment Program.

Metric:  Increase the percentage of students with disabilities receiving instruction in general education classrooms for the majority of the school day.  

Explanation: The goal is to allow students to have access to their grade-level curriculum and the social opportunities provided in the general education setting as much as is appropriate for each student.

Metric: Increase the percentage of 4th grade students who score proficient or above in Math.  

Explanation: State testing provides snapshots of student readiness, and helps states, districts, and schools understand how students are learning standards, what curriculum is working, and what additional professional development may be necessary.

Metric: Increase the percentage of 8th grade students who score proficient or above in Math.  

Explanation: State testing provides snapshots of student readiness and helps states, districts, and schools understand how students are learning standards, what curriculum is working, and what additional professional development may be necessary.

Metric: Increase the number of Oklahoma Career Readiness Certificates (OKCRC) earned. 

Explanation: This certification informs employers of an employee’s skill levels in the areas of applied math, reading for information and locating information.

Metric: Increase the number of CareerTech company-paid training contact hours.

Explanation: Company-paid training contact hours means that companies share the costs of training or educating an employee with CareerTech. This helps companies increase productivity, reduce costs and implement high-quality, continuous improvement practices.