Essential Questions

About Essential Questions

The E-W Framework recommends essential questions that are critical for E-W data systems to answer about how students are progressing from early education through their career. Approaching data through the lens of essential questions can help decision makers prioritize what data should be collected and to take action to address disparities. 

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Essential Questions Resources
Chapter I: Introduction and approach
Essential Questions Guide

Download the framework introduction to learn more about the essential questions and how they connect to other components of the E-W Framework. Access the Essential Questions Guide for guidance on how to use essential questions to bring people together around shared priorities.

20 Essential Questions

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1

Do students and families have access to adequate public supports and neighborhood conditions to enable them to succeed academically and in the workforce?

Sectors
  • Pre-K
  • K-12
  • Postsecondary
  • Workforce
2

Are eligible children enrolled in quality, full-day pre-K programs?

Sectors
  • Pre-K
3

Are children demonstrating developmental progress across the five learning domains?

Sectors
  • Pre-K
  • K-12
4

Do students have access to quality, full-day kindergarten?

Sectors
  • K-12
5

Are students demonstrating satisfactory academic progress, consistent attendance, and positive behavior to be considered on track in the early grades?

Sectors
  • Pre-K
  • K-12
6

Do students have access to quality school environments, including quality curricula and instruction, experienced teachers, effective leaders, and adequate funding?

Sectors
  • Pre-K
  • K-12
  • Postsecondary
7

Are there populations of students that disproportionately experience exclusionary discipline practices that disrupt their educational experience?

Sectors
  • Pre-K
  • K-12
8

Are students meeting reading and math benchmarks in grades 3 and 8?

Sectors
  • K-12
9

Are teachers and schools making sufficient contributions to academic growth for students?

Sectors
  • K-12
  • Postsecondary
10

Do students attend schools with safe, inclusive, and supportive environments that support their social, emotional, mental, and physical development and well-being?

Sectors
  • Pre-K
  • K-12
  • Postsecondary
11

Are students demonstrating satisfactory academic progress, consistent attendance, and positive behavior to be considered on track for high school graduation?

Sectors
  • K-12
12

Do students have access to and complete rigorous and accelerated college preparatory coursework?

Sectors
  • K-12
13

Are students taking the necessary steps to apply to college after high school with sufficient counseling support?

Sectors
  • K-12
14

Are students graduating from high school on time and successfully transitioning into further education, training, or employment?

Sectors
  • K-12
  • Postsecondary
  • Workforce
15

Are there quality pathways for students who pursue career training that lead to employment in quality jobs?

Sectors
  • K-12
  • Postsecondary
  • Workforce
16

Are students matriculating to well-matched postsecondary institutions that successfully graduate their students with credentials of value?

Sectors
  • K-12
  • Postsecondary
17

Do students attend postsecondary institutions that provide adequate financial aid and are adequately funded to offer a quality educational experience?

Sectors
  • Postsecondary
18

Are students experiencing sufficient early momentum in postsecondary education to be on track for on-time completion?

Sectors
  • Postsecondary
19

Are students completing credentials of value after high school that set them up for success in the workforce?

Sectors
  • Postsecondary
  • Workforce
20

Are students gaining access to quality jobs that offer economic mobility and security after high school or postsecondary training and education?

Sectors
  • Workforce