The state of Missouri has been recognized as a promising example of good government in three categories by the non-profit organization Results for America in their 2019 Invest in What Works State Standard of Excellence report.
The State Standard of Excellence is meant to create a national standard for state governments, showcase examples of best practices and policies, and provide a road map for state government leaders.
The report was divided into 15 categories, 14 of which have a leading example and one or more promising examples. In one category — evaluation resources — Results For America found no examples.
Results for America classified state governments as leading or promising based on whether the efforts met specific criteria, and the extent to which it demonstrated certain characteristics.
To meet the minimum threshold for inclusion as leading or promising, examples had to meet the requirements of the criteria question, be in effect in June 2019 and be verifiable with publicly available information.
Then, the examples had to demonstrate five characteristics: results, breadth, depth, legal framework and interconnectedness.
Analysis was based on data provided by the Pew-MacArthur Results First Initiative, as well as input from more than 150 current and former state government officials.
Altogether, Results for America identified 125 examples of data-driven and evidence-based practices, policies, programs and systems in effect as of June 2019 from 33 states.
Missouri was named as a promising example in three categories: performance management/continuous improvement, outcome data and innovation.
Performance management or continuous improvement focused on if states implemented performance management systems that would align with statewide strategic goals. The leading example was Washington.
Missouri was highlighted in part because of the existence of the position of Missouri chief operating officer, which was established in 2017 and is currently held by Drew Erdmann.
Erdmann’s close work with all 16 executive branch departments helps to define their strategic priorities and achieve results, according to a press release from the governor’s office.
“I am proud Results for America has recognized the hard work and commitment of the entire Cabinet to our back-to-basics management transformation,” Erdmann said in the press release. “We will continue to invest in building our team’s skills and capabilities to use evidence and data to improve our management and to innovate to find creative solutions to working better.”
Also mentioned is Missouri’s public site that includes each department’s strategic placemat and the departments’ use of performance data for core programs as part of the annual budget process.
In March 2019, the state started publishing the data on the Missouri Budget Explorer website, making the information open to the public.
The Missouri Budget Explorer website was also highlighted in the outcome data category, which focuses on how states report or require outcome data for state-funded programs during budget processes, and whether they reported any.
The website provides easier to understand, graphic breakdowns of the state budget, including specific department budget summaries, detailed legislative budget bills and the “Show-Me Checkbook,” which breaks down the state treasurer’s financial data. The leading example in this category was Colorado.
The final category where Missouri was named as a promising example was innovation, specifically state policies or staff that encouraged innovation to improve outcomes. The leading example was California.
Missouri’s recently-launched Show Me Challenge was highlighted. The program encourages state employees to pitch innovative ways to better serve citizens, cut out unnecessary bureaucratic work, and save time and money.
In its first two cycles since January, more than 100 proposals were received. The third cycle is currently underway and will end in December.
“In Missouri, we are committed to common sense management in our state government to deliver the best value for our citizens,” Gov. Mike Parson said in a news release. “We are proud to be recognized nationally for how we are improving how we use facts and innovate to make government more effective and efficient for our citizens.”
A statement from Parson’s office said the report should give Missourians confidence the state government is working to meet national standards, and Missouri is an example other states should be following.
“(The report) also reinforces the state of Missouri is heading in the right direction, and we are committed every day to continuous improvement,” said Kelli Jones, communications director for the governor.
Missouri was left out in categories like strategic goals — public, statewide goals from the governor — and evaluation leadership — senior staff members having the authority, staff and budget to evaluate major programs and inform policy decisions, like a chief evaluation officer.
“We see the report as a great learning tool for the state of Missouri,” Jones said in a written statement. “We have a lot to learn from our peer states, and that’s something we acknowledge. We are always looking to learn best practices from other state governments and private organizations.”
Other categories were data leadership, data policies/agreements, data use, evaluation policies, evaluation resources, evidence definition and program inventory, cost-benefit analysis, use of evidence in grant programs, contracting for outcomes and re-purpose for results.
The full report is available on the Results for America website.