OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 1

United States: Informing Public Discourse

through an Indicators System

Katherine K. Wallman and Kenneth Prewitt

OECD World Forum on Key Indicators

Palermo, 10 – 13 November 2004

OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 2

Indicators in the United States

• Indicator: a statistical measure that tracks change over time.

• Many indicator systems exist today in the United States.

• However, the KNII seeks to be a broad-based, comprehensive indicator system that integrates key topic areas into a single system that aggregates, organizes, and disseminates information.

OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 3

Why now?

• Constant tension between critical choices and limited resources.

• Growing interconnectedness of issues at all levels—local, national, international.

• Increasing demand for high quality, understandable, accessible information to inform decisions.

• Evolving technology improves feasibility of a national system.

OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 4

Key features of the KNII

• Builds on current practice.• Uses a comprehensive framework.• Engages the public.• Establishes criteria for indicator

selection.• Develops quality controls.• Assesses a variety of data sources.• Ensures accessibility to the widest

range of users.

OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 5

The Framework and Topic Areas

THE ECONOMYEmploymentConsumptionProductivity

InfrastructureMoney

BusinessGovernment

THE PEOPLEHealthShelter

EducationSafety

FamiliesCivic Engagement

Culture

THE ENVIRONMENTLandWaterAir

Ecosystems

OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 6

Challenges to meet

• Selecting the indicator set.• Determining levels of geographic and

demographic detail.• Balancing constancy and innovation

—deciding when to change, delete, or add indicators.

OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 7

Tensions that will remain

• Meeting the needs of a wide constituency of users, while remaining selective.

• Measuring trends and progress, while refraining from setting goals.

• Maintaining relevance and objectivity, while keeping KNII apolitical.

OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 8

Activities planned for 2005

• Conduct quality workshop.

• Involve experts to develop initial set of indicators.

• Test and offer prototype to the public.

OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 9

The Social Contract

• What is asked of the public?

• What is owed to the public?