The E-W Framework recommends essential questions that are critical for education-to-workforce data systems to answer about how students are progressing from early education through their careers — giving leaders and educators access to the data they need to understand what’s working, what’s not, and how to improve student outcomes.
Developed in partnership with more than 30 national and community organizations and built on a synthesis of 41 existing frameworks, the Education-to-Workforce Indicator Framework (E-W Framework) brings together the best thinking on what data matters most across the pre-K-to-workforce continuum.
The E-W Framework is not about reinventing the wheel — it’s a cross-sector tool and shortcut to the field’s strongest ideas about what data to track and how to use it. Unlike frameworks focused on a single sector, this one spans the full student journey. Whether you’re building a new data system, looking for fresh indicators to examine, or seeking to strengthen cross-sector collaboration, the E-W Framework can serve as your hub. And it’s built to evolve: a field-led advisory board reviews and adjudicates updates every two years, ensuring the framework stays responsive to new evidence and emerging priorities from the field.
E-W Indicator Framework at a glance
20
Essential questions
99
Indicators
1
Framework to drive change
A framework to help learners attain credentials that recognize their skills and provide measurable economic returns.
The E-W Framework is comprised of five components that offer holistic guidance for translating data into action: essential questions, indicators, disaggregates, evidence-based practices, and data equity principles. Explore each one in detail to better understand how it fits into the framework.
Explore the E-W Framework
Data Equity Principles
Guidance for ensuring equity across the data lifecycle, including fair and open data access for a diverse set of stakeholders who can help improve student outcomes.
Questions essential for E-W data systems to answer about how students are progressing from early education through career—and using the answers to guide action.
Indicators
Student outcomes and milestones and related system conditions associated with economic mobility and security, plus guidance on how to measure them.
Outcomes and milestones: Key outcomes and milestones along the E-W continuum that are strongly associated with individuals achieving economic mobility and security.
E-W system conditions: Key institutional or systemic environments, policies, and practices within E-W systems that support positive E-W outcomes.
Adjacent system conditions: Key experiences, situations, and circumstances outside of E-W systems that support positive E-W outcomes.
Disaggregates
Key student characteristics that E-W systems should use to disaggregate outcomes and conditions to assess and address inequities and better serve all students.
Evidence-Based Practices
Programs, practices, or policies that have been shown to address disparities affecting underserved groups on key education-to-workforce outcomes and milestones.
Translating Data into Action
Taken together, the framework components offer comprehensive guidance for translating data into action.
Employ the data equity principles to support ethical data use across the life cycle
Determine the essential questions that matter most in your context
Map the indicators that are most relevant to answering your questions
Ensure data has been sufficiently disaggregated to understand disparities in experiences and outcomes
Identify potential interventions to equitably improve student outcomes
Do students and families have access to adequate public supports and neighborhood conditions to enable them to succeed academically and in the workforce?
Guidance for ensuring equity across the data lifecycle, including fair and open data access for a diverse set of stakeholders who can help improve student outcomes.
Childhood experiences
Health insurance coverage
Food security
Access to affordable housing
Access to technology
Access to transportation
Exposure to neighborhood crime
Neighborhood economic diversity
Neighborhood racial diversity
Neighborhood juvenile arrests
Key student characteristics that E-W systems should use to disaggregate outcomes and conditions to assess and address inequities and better serve all students.
See Adjacent System Conditions indicators.
Pre-K | K-12 | Postsecondary | Workforce
Are eligible children enrolled in quality, full-day pre-K programs?
Guidance for ensuring equity across the data lifecycle, including fair and open data access for a diverse set of stakeholders who can help improve student outcomes.
Outcomes & Milestones
Enrollment in public pre-K
System Conditions
Access to quality pre-K
Access to full day pre-K
Access to childcare subsidies
Key student characteristics that E-W systems should use to disaggregate outcomes and conditions to assess and address inequities and better serve all students.
Teacher coaching and professional development, skill-based curricula, social skills training
Pre-K
Are children demonstrating kindergarten readiness across the five learning domains?
Guidance for ensuring equity across the data lifecycle, including fair and open data access for a diverse set of stakeholders who can help improve student outcomes.
Outcomes & Milestones
Enrollment in public pre-K
Kindergarten readiness across five domains:
Language and literacy
Cognitive ability
Social-emotional development
Approaches to learning
Perceptual, motor, and physical development
System Conditions
Access to quality pre-K
Access to full day pre-K
Access to childcare subsidies
School-family engagement
Teacher experience
Classroom observations of instructional practice
Key student characteristics that E-W systems should use to disaggregate outcomes and conditions to assess and address inequities and better serve all students.
Teacher coaching and professional development, skill-based curricula, social skills training, parent programs
Pre-K
Do students have access to quality, full-day kindergarten?
Guidance for ensuring equity across the data lifecycle, including fair and open data access for a diverse set of stakeholders who can help improve student outcomes.
Outcomes & Milestones
Early grades on track
System Conditions
Access to full-day kindergarten
Key student characteristics that E-W systems should use to disaggregate outcomes and conditions to assess and address inequities and better serve all students.
Response to Intervention, evidence-based curricula
K-12
Are students demonstrating satisfactory academic progress, consistent attendance, and positive behavior to be considered on track in the early grades?
Guidance for ensuring equity across the data lifecycle, including fair and open data access for a diverse set of stakeholders who can help improve student outcomes.
Outcomes & Milestones
Kindergarten readiness across five domains:
Language and literacy
Cognitive ability
Social-emotional development
Approaches to learning
Perceptual, motor, and physical development
Early grades on track
System Conditions
Access to full-day kindergarten
Equitable discipline practices
Teacher credentials
Teacher experience
Access to quality, culturally responsive curricula
Classroom observations of instructional practice
Teachers’ contributions to student learning growth
Key student characteristics that E-W systems should use to disaggregate outcomes and conditions to assess and address inequities and better serve all students.
Response to intervention, High-Impact tutoring, out-of-school programs (such as summer programs), evidence-based curricula, SEL curricula and programs (such as growth mindset interventions), intensive, individualized support for students of track on Early Warning Indicators
K-12
Do students have access to quality school environments, including quality curricula and instruction, experienced teachers, effective leaders, and adequate funding?
Guidance for ensuring equity across the data lifecycle, including fair and open data access for a diverse set of stakeholders who can help improve student outcomes.
Outcomes & Milestones
Early grades on track
6th grade on track
9th grade on track
High school graduation
System Conditions
Teacher credentials
Teacher experience
Classroom observations of instructional practice
Student perceptions of teaching
Teachers’ contributions to student learning growth
Effective program and school leadership
Institutions’ contributions to student outcomes
Access to quality, culturally responsive curricula
Expenditures per student
Key student characteristics that E-W systems should use to disaggregate outcomes and conditions to assess and address inequities and better serve all students.
Response to intervention, High-Impact tutoring, evidence-based curricula, intensive, individualized support for students of track on Early Warning Indicators, Small personalized learning communities
K-12
Are there populations of students that disproportionately experience exclusionary discipline practices that disrupt their educational experience?
Guidance for ensuring equity across the data lifecycle, including fair and open data access for a diverse set of stakeholders who can help improve student outcomes.
Outcomes & Milestones
Consistent attendance
Positive behavior
System Conditions
Equitable discipline practices
School safety
Inclusive environments
Key student characteristics that E-W systems should use to disaggregate outcomes and conditions to assess and address inequities and better serve all students.
SEL curricula and programs (such as growth mindset interventions)
Pre-K | K-12
Are students meeting reading and math benchmarks in grades 3 and 8?
Guidance for ensuring equity across the data lifecycle, including fair and open data access for a diverse set of stakeholders who can help improve student outcomes.
Outcomes & Milestones
Early grades on track
Math and reading proficiency in grade 3
6th grade on track
8th grade on track
Math and reading proficiency in grade 8
System Conditions
Teacher credentials
Teacher experience
Classroom observations of instructional practice
Teachers’ contributions to student learning growth
Effective program and school leadership
Institutions’ contributions to student outcomes
Key student characteristics that E-W systems should use to disaggregate outcomes and conditions to assess and address inequities and better serve all students.
Response to Intervention, High-impact tutoring, Out-of-school programs (such as summer programs), evidence-based curricula, Intensive, individualized support for students off track on Early Warning Indicators, Small, personalized learning communities
K-12
Are teachers and schools making sufficient contributions to academic growth for students?
Guidance for ensuring equity across the data lifecycle, including fair and open data access for a diverse set of stakeholders who can help improve student outcomes.
Outcomes & Milestones
Early grades on track
Math and reading proficiency in grade 3
6th grade on track
8th grade on track
Math and reading proficiency in grade 8
9th grade on track
Grade point average
Math and reading proficiency in high school
System Conditions
English learner progress
Teachers’ contributions to student learning growth
Institutions’ contributions to student outcomes
Key student characteristics that E-W systems should use to disaggregate outcomes and conditions to assess and address inequities and better serve all students.
Response to Intervention, High-impact tutoring
K-12
Do students attend schools with safe, inclusive, and supportive environments that support their social, emotional, mental, and physical development and well-being?
Guidance for ensuring equity across the data lifecycle, including fair and open data access for a diverse set of stakeholders who can help improve student outcomes.
Outcomes & Milestones
Self-management
Growth mindset
Self-efficacy
Social awareness
Cultural competency
Social capital
Mental and emotional well-being
Physical development and well-being
System Conditions
School-family engagement
Equitable discipline practices
School safety
Inclusive environments
Representational racial and ethnic diversity of educators
School and workplace racial and ethnic diversity
School and workplace socioeconomic diversity
Access to health, mental health, and social supports
Key student characteristics that E-W systems should use to disaggregate outcomes and conditions to assess and address inequities and better serve all students.
SEL curricula and programs (such as growth mindset interventions), Small, personalized learning communities
K-12
Are students demonstrating satisfactory academic progress, consistent attendance, and positive behavior to be considered on track for high school graduation?
Guidance for ensuring equity across the data lifecycle, including fair and open data access for a diverse set of stakeholders who can help improve student outcomes.
Outcomes & Milestones
Consistent attendance
Positive behavior
8th grade on track
Math and reading proficiency in grade 8
9th grade on-track
Grade point average
Math and reading proficiency in high school
System Conditions
Equitable discipline practices
Teacher credentials
Teacher experience
Classroom observations of instructional practice
Teachers’ contributions to student learning growth
Institutions’ contributions to student outcomes
Access to quality, culturally responsive curricula
Key student characteristics that E-W systems should use to disaggregate outcomes and conditions to assess and address inequities and better serve all students.
Response to Intervention, High-impact tutoring, Out-of-school programs (such as summer programs), evidence-based curricula, Intensive, individualized support for students off track on Early Warning Indicators, Small, personalized learning communities
K-12
Do students have access to and complete rigorous and accelerated college preparatory coursework?
Guidance for ensuring equity across the data lifecycle, including fair and open data access for a diverse set of stakeholders who can help improve student outcomes.
Outcomes & Milestones
Successful completion of Algebra 1 by 9th grade
College preparatory coursework completion
Early college coursework completion
SAT and ACT participation and performance
System Conditions
Access to college preparatory coursework
Access to early college coursework
Equitable placement in rigorous coursework
Access to quality, culturally responsive curricula
Access to college and career advising
Key student characteristics that E-W systems should use to disaggregate outcomes and conditions to assess and address inequities and better serve all students.
Accelerated postsecondary pathways
K-12
Are students taking the necessary steps to apply to college after high school with sufficient counseling support?
Guidance for ensuring equity across the data lifecycle, including fair and open data access for a diverse set of stakeholders who can help improve student outcomes.
Outcomes & Milestones
SAT and ACT participation and performance
FAFSA completion
College applications
Social capital
System Conditions
Access to college and career advising
Key student characteristics that E-W systems should use to disaggregate outcomes and conditions to assess and address inequities and better serve all students.
Accelerated postsecondary pathways, Financial aid advising and hands-on assistance, Enhanced college advising
K-12
Are students graduating from high school on time and successfully transitioning into further education, training, or employment?
Guidance for ensuring equity across the data lifecycle, including fair and open data access for a diverse set of stakeholders who can help improve student outcomes.
Outcomes & Milestones
High school graduation
Senior summer on track
Postsecondary enrollment directly after high school graduation
Successful career transition after high school
CTE pathway concentration
Participation in work-based learning
System Conditions
Access to college and career advising
Access to in-demand CTE pathways
Expenditures on workforce development programs
Access to jobs paying a living wage
Key student characteristics that E-W systems should use to disaggregate outcomes and conditions to assess and address inequities and better serve all students.
Accelerated postsecondary pathways, Career pathway programs, Financial aid advising and hands-on assistance, Enhanced college advising, Employer partnerships with CTE programs, Youth workforce development programs, Sector-oriented job training programs
K-12 | Postsecondary | Workforce
Are there quality pathways for students who pursue career training that lead to employment in quality jobs?
Guidance for ensuring equity across the data lifecycle, including fair and open data access for a diverse set of stakeholders who can help improve student outcomes.
Outcomes & Milestones
CTE pathway concentration
Participation in work-based learning
Transfer (if applicable)
System Conditions
Access to in-demand CTE pathways
Expenditures on workforce development programs
Access to ongoing career skills development
Key student characteristics that E-W systems should use to disaggregate outcomes and conditions to assess and address inequities and better serve all students.
Career pathway programs, Employer partnerships with CTE programs, Youth workforce development programs, Sector-oriented job training programs
K-12 | Postsecondary | Workforce
Are students matriculating to well-matched postsecondary institutions that successfully graduate their students with credentials of value?
Guidance for ensuring equity across the data lifecycle, including fair and open data access for a diverse set of stakeholders who can help improve student outcomes.
Outcomes & Milestones
Selection of a well-matched postsecondary institution
Senior summer on track
Postsecondary enrollment directly after high school graduation
Postsecondary persistence
Postsecondary certificate or degree completion
Minimum economic return
System Conditions
Institutions’ contributions to student outcomes
Access to college and career advising
Unmet financial need
Cumulative student debt
Key student characteristics that E-W systems should use to disaggregate outcomes and conditions to assess and address inequities and better serve all students.
Accelerated postsecondary pathways, Financial aid advising and hands-on assistance, Enhanced college advising, Intentionally designed career pathway programs
K-12 | Postsecondary
Do students attend postsecondary institutions that provide adequate financial aid and are adequately funded to offer a quality educational experience?
Guidance for ensuring equity across the data lifecycle, including fair and open data access for a diverse set of stakeholders who can help improve student outcomes.
Outcomes & Milestones
Student loan repayment
System Conditions
Expenditures per student
Unmet financial need
Cumulative student debt
Key student characteristics that E-W systems should use to disaggregate outcomes and conditions to assess and address inequities and better serve all students.
Financial aid advising and hands-on assistance, financial incentives for students
Postsecondary
Are students experiencing sufficient early momentum in postsecondary education to be on track for on-time completion?
Guidance for ensuring equity across the data lifecycle, including fair and open data access for a diverse set of stakeholders who can help improve student outcomes.
Outcomes & Milestones
First-year credit accumulation
Gateway course completion
Postsecondary persistence
Transfer (if applicable)
System Conditions
Access to college and career advising
Unmet financial need
Key student characteristics that E-W systems should use to disaggregate outcomes and conditions to assess and address inequities and better serve all students.
Co-requisite support, Comprehensive, integrated advising, Mentoring and coaching, Financial incentives for students, Digital learning, SEL curricula and programs (such as self regulated learning)
Postsecondary
Are students completing credentials of value after high school that set them up for success in the workforce?
Guidance for ensuring equity across the data lifecycle, including fair and open data access for a diverse set of stakeholders who can help improve student outcomes.
Outcomes & Milestones
Postsecondary certificate or degree completion
Industry-recognized credential
Social awareness
Cultural competency
Civic engagement
Social capital
Digital skills
Communication skills
Higher order thinking skills
Minimum economic return
Student loan repayment
System Conditions
Institutions’ contributions to student outcomes
Cumulative student debt
Key student characteristics that E-W systems should use to disaggregate outcomes and conditions to assess and address inequities and better serve all students.
Enhanced college advising, Intentionally designed career pathway programs, Employer partnerships with CTE programs, Youth workforce development programs, Sector-oriented job training programs, contextualized or integrated basic skills instruction in occupational training
Postsecondary | Workforce
Are students gaining access to quality jobs that offer economic mobility and security after high school or postsecondary training and education?
Guidance for ensuring equity across the data lifecycle, including fair and open data access for a diverse set of stakeholders who can help improve student outcomes.
Outcomes & Milestones
Employment in a quality job
Economic mobility
Economic security
System Conditions
Access to jobs paying a living wage
Access to ongoing career skills development
Key student characteristics that E-W systems should use to disaggregate outcomes and conditions to assess and address inequities and better serve all students.
Employer partnerships with CTE programs, Youth workforce development programs, Sector-oriented job training programs
Postsecondary | Workforce
/
E-W Framework in the World
Case studies
Take action with the Framework
Explore a full copy of the E-W Report and Framework
