What are the Benchmarks for a Better Washington?

The Benchmarks for a Better Washington are a set of metrics that speak to the heart of what constitutes a world class state – innovation, quality education, efficient transportation networks, and a healthy business climate. The benchmarks utilize independent, 50-state data to determine where Washington ranks, measure changes in performance, and understand where there is opportunity for improvement.

What are the specific benchmarks?

The Benchmarks track 13 performance measures, including:

1. Private-sector job growth
2. Number of patents issued for invention
3. High-school graduation rates
4. Student achievement in math (8th grade)
5. Student achievement in science (8th grade)
6. Bachelor’s degrees awarded per capita
7. Bridge bridges
8. Road conditions
9. Average commute travel times
10. Business tax burden as a percent of gross state product
11. Unemployment insurance taxes
12. Workers’ compensation benefits paid
13. Industrial and commercial electricity rates

How were the benchmarks selected?

The number of benchmarks is intentionally limited to focus on those areas that the Roundtable deems most important to our vision of making Washington a leader for quality of life and innovation with a healthy business environment. Each benchmark must be measurable via a recognized, reliable, independent source that includes comparative data for all 50 states.

How is the Washington Roundtable working to achieve these goals?

We are engaged in an ongoing, balanced and comprehensive strategy to achieve these goals. This includes a commitment to pursuing necessary policy changes and measuring progress.