Leading Indicator

 

Definition: An indicator that is predictive of an outcome.

What This Means: A leading indicator is a measure that is made at a time when changes can still be made in a process or program to improve outcomes. Identifying leading indicators in education is challenging because we measure more outcomes (See Lagging Indicator and Trailing Indicator). Some potential leading indicators are benchmark assessment results, weekly attendance rates, monthly discipline incidents, and report card grades. Lagging or trailing indicators may also be used as leading indicators in an historical or longitudinal analysis.

 

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