AmeriCorps Programs

Aligning Performance Measures

REQUIREMENTS

Beginning in Program Year 2006, AmeriCorps programs are required to develop one set of aligned performance measures—an output, intermediate outcome, and end outcome—for their primary or area of significant activity. (One set of aligned measures is the minimum requirement.  A program may submit additional performance measures that are aligned or not aligned.  Confer with your state commission.)

DEFINITIONS

Outputs are counts of the products or services delivered.

Intermediate Outcomes are specific changes that have occurred in the lives of beneficiaries but are short of a significant benefit to them.

End Outcomes are specific changes that have occurred in the lives of beneficiaries that are significant.

Aligned performance measures demonstrate a clear, logical link between the service activity and the anticipated outputs and outcomes (i.e. the activity produces the output; the activity and the output produce the outcomes).

STEPS TO CREATE AN ALIGNED SET OF PERFORMANCE MESAURES

Step 1 Choose a primary or significant activity area.  What is a primary activity? This might include:

·        An activity area where members put most of their effort and time

·        An activity area in which all or most of the members participate

·        An important activity to the program mission (e.g. one of the identified Corporation initiatives) 

·        For intermediaries, a significant activity can be that which most or many sites are implementing.

Step 2 (Recommended): Develop a logic model for your activity.  This process can:

·        Help you clarify the results you are trying to achieve and identify the key program elements that must be tracked.

·        Help you develop on set of aligned performance measures

For information on how to do a program logic model, see Project STAR’s website at www.projectstar.org.

Step 3:  Identify an output that will occur because of the activity and write a statement. What you count - the output – should be what you track for changes.  For instance, if you select “students tutored” as your output, you will select intermediate and end outcomes that identify changes for the students.

Step 4: Identify an intermediate outcome and write a statement: what changes will occur for beneficiaries because of the activity and the output?  Intermediate outcomes are not end outcomes measured mid year. They are the outcomes that are easier to change or reach then end outcomes.

Step 5: Identify an end outcome and write a statement: what significant changes will occur for beneficiaries because of the activity and the output?  If you serve the same beneficiaries or same service area over three years (e.g., tutored the same students for three years, watershed restoration, neighborhood revitalization), you may want to measure the end outcome at the end of the third year.

Often, a helpful way to approach this task is to begin with the end outcome and work back to the output. 

Step 6: Identify the indicators, targets and instruments for each result.  Once you have completed your logic model and aligned the results, begin to identify the indicators, targets and instruments for each performance measure. 

EXAMPLES of aligned performance measures

Mentoring: AmeriCorps members serve as mentors for youth, ages 12-15, identified as “at-risk” for dropping out of school.

Output: Number of youth matched with mentors; number of times menter and youth meet.

Intermediate Outcome: Mentored youth show improvement in attitude toward school.

End Outcome: Mentored youth are passed on to the next grade.

Disaster Relief: AmeriCorps members conduct intakes, assist families with paperwork, and make referrals to help families who were dislocated by recent hurricanes. 

Output: Dislocated families are registered.

Intermediate Outcome: Families receive help with paperwork, appointments, and referrals according to their needs.

End Outcome: Families have semi-permanent or permanent housing, temporary or permanent employment and/or financial assistance.