Measuring how well states are performing is increasingly important as states face shrinking revenues and rising demand for services. Citizens want and expect results from their governments, even in the face of fewer resources. Measuring performance and using performance data to strategically place resources is key to implementing the accountable, transparent and results-focused governance policies that citizens demand. Measuring performance is an essential tool of managing performance, providing the necessary information for informed, outcome-driven strategies.

States Perform is an initiative of the Council of State Governments designed to educate state policy makers on the approaches states are taking to measuring and managing performance, and give them the tools to implement or improve their own programs. In addition, States Perform provides users with access to interactive, customizable and up-to-date comparative performance measurement data for 50 states in six key areas: fiscal and economic, public safety and justice, energy and environment, transportation, health and human services, and education.