Center for the Future of Arizona Unveils New Arizona Progress Meters, Launches Community Conversations Series to Support Data-Driven Decision-Making Statewide

The Arizona Progress Meters Portfolio Expands to Reflect Eight Priority Areas Most Important to Arizonans

The Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) today unveiled an expanded portfolio of the Arizona Progress Meters as part of a statewide introduction to a robust set of tools and data sources that communities can use as frameworks for discussion, problem solving and long-term planning for success.
 
Joining the established Education Progress Meter are seven new progress meters focused on Jobs, Young Talent, Health and Well-being, Natural Resources, Infrastructure, Civic Participation and Connected Communities. An array of introductory metrics supporting each of the new Arizona Progress Meters highlight the related and trusted public data sources that can inform long-term decision making to help advance Arizona in areas that are most important to its communities.
 
The entire portfolio of Arizona Progress Meters, metrics, consulting organizations and data sources are available at www.arizonafuture.org/az-progress-meters/overview.
 
Sybil Francis, President & CEO, Center for the Future of Arizona, said: “The Arizona We Want is a reflection of what matters most to Arizonans, and the Arizona Progress Meters are designed to measure how our state is doing relative to the priority areas identified by Arizonans across the state.”
 
In 2009, CFA identified the things that matter most to Arizonans through its landmark study, The Arizona We Want. This was a powerful expression of the values and priorities of Arizonans as they seek to improve their lives and the quality of life available to them in our communities. It framed the important issues that leaders should be thinking about as they work to advance prosperity and opportunity for all Arizonans.
 
Arizona has a successful model in place with the Education Progress Meter. Since launching in 2016, it has been adopted by more than 40 cities, towns and counties throughout the state, and supported by the Arizona Governor’s Office. Developed by CFA and Expect More Arizona, this was the first in a portfolio of progress meters and led to a shared vision for education and a statewide attainment goal (Achieve60AZ) supported by business, education, nonprofit and government leaders alike to address the achievement gap, strengthen our talent pipeline and bolster Arizona’s economy.
 
“The Education Progress Meter is a foundational success story of how Arizonans can leverage data while working together to address the big issues facing our state and its important systems,” said Francis. “It is being used by government agencies, policymakers, cities, towns, and communities across the state among others to inform and drive actions to improve educational outcomes.”
 
The newly introduced Arizona Progress Meters intend to replicate that success while addressing the other systemic issues of critical importance to the state, and prompt Arizona communities to engage with each other to solve problems.
 
“As a next step to advancing the Arizona Progress Meters, CFA will work with leadership organizations and communities across the state to begin supporting their long-term planning processes as well as identifying the opportunities illuminated by the data we share,” said Francis.
 
The Arizona Progress Meters:
The eight distinct Arizona Progress Meters for Jobs, Education, Young Talent, Health and Well-being, Natural Resources, Infrastructure, Civic Participation and Connected Communities reflect the values and priorities of Arizonans while providing data to help our state achieve success in the areas most important to its communities.

• Jobs – Why it matters: Arizonans want jobs that utilize their talents, build their future, and help our economy thrive.
• Education – Why it matters: Education changes lives and creates opportunity.
• Young Talent – Why it matters: Arizona’s long-term success depends on the contributions of all our young people.
• Health and Well-being – Why it matters: Health and well-being are essential to our quality of life and to the success of our communities.
• Natural Resources – Why it matters: Arizona’s natural beauty and resources are unique assets that contribute to our quality of life and economy.
• Infrastructure – Why it matters: Arizona’s economic vibrancy and livability rely on a robust infrastructure.
• Civic Participation – Why it matters: Civic participation is at the heart of our democracy.
• Connected Communities – Why it matters: Communities are home, how we connect to others, and are at the center of collective decision-making.

 The Arizona We Want Community Conversations Series
Through The Arizona We Want Community Conversations Series, CFA will engage with partners and communities across the state to spark discussions and introduce the Arizona Progress Meters as tools to support data-driven dialogue and action. In the first year, CFA will do the following:

• Engage communities in dialogue about the aspirations we all hold for the future of our state.
• Gain an understanding of the priorities that exist in communities, what requires more visibility, and how we might elevate these issues to a statewide level of discussion.
• Introduce a set of fact-based tools with vetted and reliable data that can help frame conversations, drive action, and measure progress.
• Incorporate feedback and input from communities into the ongoing evolution and refinement of the Arizona Progress Meters.

  About the Center for the Future of Arizona
The Center for the Future of Arizona brings Arizonans together to build a bright future for our state. 
 
About The Arizona We Want
The Arizona We Want is a shared vision of success around what matter most to Arizonans that expresses their highest aspirations and hopes for the future. Eight distinct Arizona Progress Meters for Jobs, Education, Young Talent, Health and Well-being, Natural Resources, Infrastructure, Civic Participation and Connected Communities reflect the values and priorities of Arizonans while providing data to help our state achieve success in the areas most important to its communities.