Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to providing students with an education that meets the demands of today and anticipates the needs of tomorrow . The Future-Ready Index (FRI) is a tool developed to monitor the key conditions, capacities, and outcomes that shape educational attainment, well-being, and long-term economic security for all students . By using a research-based national framework, this index provides transparent, accessible data that empowers families and the public to understand how FCPS supports student success .

What Is the Future-Ready Index?

The Future-Ready Index is a new tool designed to demonstrate how well FCPS supports students on their journey from early learning through graduation and beyond.

The Index serves as a guide for continuous improvement, highlighting the key conditions, opportunities, and outcomes that research indicates are most crucial for long-term student success.

What Is the Research Base?

The Index is built on the Education-to-Workforce Framework , a nationally recognized model created by education researchers and national experts. The framework pulls together evidence from over 40 existing frameworks and research to identify what matters most for students from preschool through adulthood.

Why Does This Matter?

The Index provides families, staff, and the community with a clear picture of how FCPS is performing in preparing students for future success in college, careers, and life. It:

• Highlights where FCPS is excelling and where more work is needed.
• Provides a transparent and accessible way to understand student progress.
• Ensures that every student is supported.

By using this framework, FCPS can ensure that goals are based on solid research and can be compared to those of other school districts nationwide.

Five Domains of Opportunities

The Index is organized into five easy-to-understand domains that reflect this national framework while also focusing on the unique FCPS context and strategic priorities.

Each domain has five indicators which show how the Division is progressing toward shared goals — from academic growth and post-secondary outcomes to school climate, engagement, and access to meaningful learning experiences. Together, these indicators will provide a more complete picture of how FCPS is preparing students not only for success today, but also for the rapidly changing world ahead.

The Index uses a star system to provide a quick and transparent view of our progress. A full star means performance exceeds a comparable national or state reference point. ¹ If no comparable data exists, the Index uses transparent, locally defined goals. This approach enables FCPS to communicate progress clearly, highlighting both strengths and areas for improvement.

¹ Note that comparisons to state or national data serve only as reference points, not exact equivalents, since measures may differ across systems.

Looking Ahead

The Future-Ready Index is a living framework. As new research emerges and the needs of our students change, the Index will continue to adapt to remain a meaningful guide for our community.