The 2022 State Standard of Excellence recognizes eight Leading States – Colorado, Minnesota, Tennessee, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Washington, Utah, and Connecticut and nine Honorable Mention States – Massachusetts, Ohio, California, Maryland, New Jersey, Oregon, Texas, Arizona, and Rhode Island – for building and using evidence and data to deliver better results for residents.
This year’s State Standard of Excellence showcases 263 examples of data-driven and evidence-based practices, policies, programs, and systems (an increase of 61 from 2021) in 41 states across the country (an increase of five states from 2021).
The Invest in What Works State Standard of Excellence (State Standard of Excellence) sets a national standard – a “north star” – for how state governments can consistently and effectively use evidence and data in budget, policy, and management decisions to achieve better, more equitable outcomes for their residents.