The Balanced Scorecard

State and national test scores measure student progress, but they are lagging indicators of performance, meaning that the results come too late to be used for analyzing systems or making changes for improvement. These types of test scores are like the profit/loss statement for a business - they may be historically true, but because they look backward, they don't show the whole picture and they don't suggest criteria for improvement.

The Balanced Scorecard is a way to use data as leading indicators for school improvement. Georgia's Leadership Institute for School Improvement uses the Balanced Scorecard as a tool in the Executive Development Program.

What is the Balanced Scorecard?
The Balanced Scorecard originated in the business world, where it translates an organization's mission and vision statements into a set of performance measures and metrics. The Balanced Scorecard defines, measures, and monitors data that are often overlooked, giving  a more complete and robust picture of performance.

Operating a school or a school district involves many complex interactions between district staff, principals, teachers, students, and the community. By using Balanced Scorecard measurements of a variety of criteria, you can begin to think about data in a new way and discover causes and effects that might otherwise have gone unnoticed. Types of measures a district Balanced Scorecard would address are:

• Student achievement

• Teacher attendance

• Percentage of students retained

• On-time delivery rate of school buses

• Parent satisfaction

Linked here (and at right) is a compilation of potential performance measures/metrics around four major strategic goal areas: Student Achievement, Student and Stakeholder Engagement, Internal Processes, and Learning and Growth. This document can help start discussions and brainstorming around your individualized Balanced Scorecard development.

Displaying BSC Data via Visual Reporting
School system data - student test scores, attendance data, dropout rate, etc.- have long been in the public domain. But who is explaining what these data mean? The BSC provides a way to look at the bigger picture, leading to better understanding of the district's results. The data can be used to:

• Undertake root cause analysis of identified deficiencies

• Involve the school board and the community in developing solutions

• Communicate the goals, mission, and vision to all stakeholders, including students

How to get started
For more information or to schedule an individual consultation, contact Scott Cowart, Senior Performance Consultant, at scott.cowart@glisi.org or (678) 292-8777 or Mike Vanairsdale, GLISI's Executive Development performance consultant at (404) 385-2429 or at mike.vanairsdale@glisi.org.