2023 Invest in What Works
State Standard of Excellence

A national benchmark – a “north star” – for how state governments invest in what works.

About the 2023 State Standard of Excellence

The 2023 Invest in What Works State Standard of Excellence demonstrates that states are increasingly using data and evidence to produce better, more equitable results for their residents.

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In the 2023 State Standard of Excellence, Results for America identified 194 examples of data-driven and evidence-based practices, policies, programs, and systems in effect as of August 2023 in 46 states across the country.

In 2023, Results for America identified five Leading states: Colorado, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oregon and Tennessee and five Honorable Mention states: California, Connecticut, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Utah.

Read Results for America’s analysis, including key findings and methodology.

2023 State Standard of Excellence Criteria

The 2023 Invest in What Works State Standard of Excellence includes 12 criteria that are organized by thematic areas: Building Evidence, Using Learning, and Delivering Results. Read more about the Criteria breakdown here.

All
Building Evidence
Using Learning
Delivering Results

1. Evaluation Leadership

The government has a designated leader and/or team responsible for coordinating evaluation policy and use of findings (e.g., Chief Evaluation Officer).

Leading Example

Tennessee
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2. Data Leadership

The government has a designated leader and/or dedicated team responsible for coordinating the governance, collection, sharing, and analysis of data (e.g., Chief Data Officer).

Leading Example

Connecticut
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3. Investment in Capacity to Learn What Works

The government invests at least 1% of discretionary program funds in evaluations [and evidence building] and uses evaluation findings to advance the agency’s mission.

Leading Example

Tennessee
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4. Evaluation Policy and Learning

The government has an evaluation policy and a learning agenda to support the building and use of evidence.

Leading Example

North Carolina
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5. Data Policy and Practices

The government has documented, user-friendly policies and practices to expedite internal and external data sharing, linkage and access.

Leading Example

Connecticut
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6. Investing in What Works through Grants and Contracts

The government defines and prioritizes evidence of effectiveness in grant programs or contracts in order to achieve equitable outcomes.

Leading Example

Michigan
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7. Investing in What Works through Direct Services

The government directly administers evidence-based interventions (i.e. government employees deliver interventions) in order to achieve equitable outcomes.

Leading Example

Minnesota
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8. Investing in What Works through Budgeting

The government has a budget policy that prioritizes evidence of effectiveness in order to achieve equitable outcomes.

Leading Example

Colorado
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9. Performance Management

The government has performance management practices for incorporating evidence and data results to improve decision-making processes and create a culture of accountability.

Leading Example

New Mexico
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10. Results-Driven Contracting

The government uses strategies to structure, evaluate, and actively manage contracts strategically, using data to help leverage procurement as a tool to achieve equitable outcomes.

Leading Example

Washington
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11. Community Participation

The government has practices for proactively engaging and empowering residents and community partners to inform policy development, program design and delivery processes with an emphasis on historically underserved communities.

Leading Example

Pennsylvania
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12. Identifying Key Outcomes and Tracking Progress

The government has a strategic plan or priorities with measurable goals to achieve equitable outcomes that were informed by underserved communities and the government tracks progress on these key outcomes.

Leading Example

Utah
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Leading & Promising Examples by State

Hover or click on a state to learn more about where it excels in State Standard of Excellence criteria.

  • Leading Example
  • Promising Example
  • No Examples Featured

194

state examples in 2023

46

U.S. states represented in 2023

5

New states Since 2022

Results for America’s analysis is based on data provided under license by The Pew Charitable Trusts’ Results First initiative (which was used to inform its 2017 report on states’ engagement in evidence-based policymaking) and input from more than 150 current and former state government officials and other experts. Results for America thanks all the state government leaders who contributed to the 2023 State Standard of Excellence.