1 - 10/25/2010

Amended Notice of Federal Funding Opportunity Addendum 

Corporation for National and Community Service 

AmeriCorps State and National Grants FY 2011

Corrected October 25, 2010 

2011 National Performance Measures: Background Information 

References and Authorities, Definitions, Suggestions regarding Data Collection, and Additional 

Notes 

Additional measurement and data collection resources may be found at: 

http://www.nationalserviceresources.org/national-performance-measures/home 

EDUCATION FOCUS AREA 

Grants in the Education Focus Area will include programs that seek to contribute to the number 

of students who graduate from high school and college or university. In order to achieve that 

goal, the Corporation seeks to increase its investment in national service programs that improve 

academic outcomes for young children, youth, and young adults, particularly those in the lowestperforming schools. 

Specifically, the Corporation seeks research- and evidence-based programs that help children and 

youth prepare for school; perform at grade-level; graduate from high school ready for college, 

work, and life; and succeed in college and university through academic engagement and civic 

participation. 

 Tutoring programs must select Measures ED1, and ED2, and then at least one measure 

from ED5-ED11 or ED26. 

 Mentoring programs must select Measures ED3A, ED4A, and then at least one measure 

from ED5-ED11 or ED26. 

 Teacher Corps must select Measures ED1 and ED2 and Measures ED12-ED 14 and 

Measures ED16-ED17. Measures ED 15, ED 18 and ED 19 are optional Teacher Corps 

measures. 

 Early Childhood programs must choose measures ED20 and ED21 and then at least one 

measure from ED22-25. 

 Education programs other than the above must choose measures ED1, ED2, and then at 

least one measure from ED5-ED11 or ED26. 

Measure ED 1: Number of students who start in an AmeriCorps education program. 

References/ 

Authority: 

SAA Indicator: (i) Tutoring, or providing other academic support to elementary school 

and secondary school students. 

Definition of 

Key Terms 

Education program: AmeriCorps members help students maintain enrollment in and 

succeed in school (mentoring programs use ED3A and ED4A). The help that 

AmeriCorps members provide does not need to be in direct service to the students. 

However, the AmeriCorps members must provide direct support that makes the 

program possible. 

Elementary and secondary school students: students enrolled in grades K-12. 

Start in: students enrolled in the education program at the beginning of the program 

year. Counts may be updated if the number of participants increases. 
2

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Count of students who enroll in the program. Students may or may not complete the 

program. Each student should be counted only once during the program year. 

Measure ED 2: Number of students who complete participation in an AmeriCorps education 

program. 

References/ 

Authority: 

SAA Indicator: (i) Tutoring, or providing other academic support to elementary school 

and secondary school students. 

Definition of 

Key Terms 

Education program: AmeriCorps members help students maintain enrollment in and 

succeed in school (except mentoring or Teacher Corps programs). The help that 

AmeriCorps members provide does not need to be in direct service to the students. 

However, the AmeriCorps members must provide direct support that makes the 

program possible. 

Elementary and secondary school students: Students enrolled in grades K-12. 

Complete participation: At the outset of the activity, the program should indicate how 

many days or hours are required in order to complete the activity. Then they will only 

count the number of students who meet that threshold by the end of the year. This 

number will be used as the denominator for selected measures and therefore the 

amount of attendance should be enough to influence the results. 

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Count of students from Measure 1 who complete participation in the activity as 

indicated by above definition. 

 

Notes: This is the primary measure CNCS will use to establish how many students are 

participating in education programs other than mentoring, early childhood programs or 

Teacher Corps. Measure 1 and Measure 2 together will indicate how many students 

drop out/are retained by these programs. 

Measure ED 3A: Number of disadvantaged youth/mentor matches that are commenced by the 

AmeriCorps program. 

References/ 

Authority: 

SAA Indicator: (iii) Mentoring students, including adult or peer mentoring. 

Definition of 

Key Terms 

Mentors are adults who provide support to children or youth through either community 

based programs or school based programs: 

School-Based: A continuous match, with the same mentor for one hour per week (or as 

age-appropriate for older mentees), for at least 6 months of one school year. 

Community-Based: A continuous match, with the same mentor for two to three hours 

per week, for at least 12 months and up to 24 months. 

Mentoring relationships are ideally one mentor per child, but could be small group 

with a ratio of no more than 1:3. 

Disadvantaged youth: “includes those youth who are economically disadvantaged and 

1 or more of the following: (A) Who are out-of-school youth, including out-of-school 

youth who are unemployed. (B) Who are in or aging out of foster care. (C) Who have 

limited English proficiency. (D) Who are homeless or who have run away from home. 

(E) Who are at-risk to leave secondary school without a diploma. (F) Who are former 

juvenile offenders or at risk of delinquency. (G) Who are individuals with disabilities.” 

(From SAA) 

Economic Disadvantage: eligible for free (at or below 130% of poverty) or reduced 
3 - 10/25/2010

(between 130% to 185% of poverty) lunch; may or may not actually be accessing 

free/reduced lunch. See: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/ChildNutrition/lunch.htm

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Programs will count the number of qualifying mentor-mentee matches that are initiated 

over the course of the program year. If the program model allows for “small group” 

mentoring instead of one-on-one matches, all participating mentees in the group should 

be counted. 

Measure ED 4A: Number of disadvantaged youth/mentor matches that were sustained by the 

AmeriCorps program for at least the required time period. 

References/ 

Authority: 

SAA Indicator: (iii) Mentoring students, including adult or peer mentoring. 

Definition of 

Key Terms 

Mentors are adults who provide support to children or youth through either community 

based programs or school based programs: 

School-Based: A continuous match, with the same mentor for one hour per week (or as 

age-appropriate for older mentees), for at least 6 months of one school year. 

Community-Based: A continuous match, with the same mentor for two to three hours 

per week, for at least 12 months and up to 24 months. 

Mentoring relationships are ideally one mentor per child, but could be small group 

with a ratio of no more than 1:3. 

Disadvantaged youth: “includes those youth who are economically disadvantaged and 

1 or more of the following: (A) Who are out-of-school youth, including out-of-school 

youth who are unemployed. (B) Who are in or aging out of foster care. (C) Who have 

limited English proficiency. (D) Who are homeless or who have run away from home. 

(E) Who are at-risk to leave secondary school without a diploma. (F) Who are former 

juvenile offenders or at risk of delinquency. (G) Who are individuals with disabilities.” 

SAA 

Economic Disadvantage: eligible for free (at or below 130% of poverty) or reduced 

(between 130% to 185% of poverty) lunch; may or may not actually be accessing 

free/reduced lunch. See: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/ChildNutrition/lunch.htm

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Programs will count the number of qualifying mentor-mentee matches that are 

sustained over the course of the program year. If the program model allows for “small 

group” mentoring instead of one-on-one matches, all participating mentees in the group 

should be counted. 

Notes: This is the primary measure CNCS will use to establish how many students are 

participating in mentoring programs. Measures ED3A and ED4A are intended to be 

used together to indicate the retention/drop out rate. 2010 Measures ED3 and ED4 

have been retired for new applicants. 

 Applicants providing an Education Program (except Teacher Corps and Early Childhood) 

must choose at least one measure from Measures ED5-ED11 or ED26. Choose a measure 

that aligns with your program design. 

 Teacher Corps programs skip to Teacher Corps section. 

 Early Childhood programs skip to Early Childhood section. 

Measure ED 5: Number of students with improved academic performance, including on-time 

course completion. 

References/ 

Authority: 

SAA Indicator: (ii) Student academic achievement. 
4

Definition of 

Key Terms 

Students: Those reported in either Measure ED2 or Measure ED4A. 

Improved academic performance: as measured by an improved demonstration of 

skill/knowledge at post-test as compared to pre-test (gain score) using a standardized 

instrument. Many standardized test instruments provide expected levels of improvement 

for particular starting points. Those would be the most appropriate improvement levels 

for programs to select. Programs may request a post-test only assessment option that 

would count as “improved” only those students who perform at grade level on the posttest. Only those programs that demonstrate they are serving below grade level students 

and that demonstrate a sufficient reason for not conducting a pre-test/post-test may 

request this option. 

Standardized test/instrument: has been validated externally on a randomly-selected 

population of students. State standardized tests generally should NOT be used for nonTeacher Corps Programs as it is expected that the child’s classroom teacher would have 

the primary effect on these scores. Programs may request to use the state, standardized 

test but need to demonstrate that it is appropriate for their circumstances. 

The National Center on Response to Intervention web-site of the U.S. Department of 

Education provides some information about assessment tools (they call them progress 

monitoring tools) at the following site: 

http://www.rti4success.org/chart/progressMonitoring/progressmonitoringtoolschart.htm

Note that these are not specifically recommended, nor are these the only instruments that 

programs could use but the site provides good information about how to consider which 

tool your program might choose. 
5 - 10/25/2010

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Programs will report the number of students from Measure ED2 or Measure ED4A

who: 

(1) achieve the “gain” or amount of progress that was approved at grant award, and/or 

(2) perform on grade level if the post-test only method is being used. 

Amount of progress required: 

The amount of progress required to count as “improved academic performance” must be 

specified in the approved grant application. If the Program is using different tests for 

different groups of children, then different amounts of progress may be specified by test. 

Some tests may specify different amounts of progress based on the pre-test results. 

Programs should select a standardized test that: 

(1) measures the types of student skills/knowledge the program is trying to improve 

through its efforts, 

(2) is appropriate for the grade level, 

(3) has demonstrated validity or reliability for the population they are serving, 

and (4) is compatible with and acceptable to the school where the program is providing 

services (different tests may be used at different schools). 

Regarding the use of state standardized tests administered by the school: (NOTE: 

These tests are not likely to be appropriate for tutoring programs and may not be used 

unless an exception has been granted.) These tests have the advantage of already being 

in place and having an infrastructure to support their use, and of course students would 

have taken these tests anyway. State standardized tests can only be used if they are 

administered at the end of the prior year and then again at the end of the current year 

(this will not be the case for all grade levels). 

Obtaining test scores from school systems: 

For programs not themselves administering the test, the Program will need to have some 

form of agreement, such as an MOU (memorandum of understanding) with the school to 

ensure that data for the needed children can be secured. Data are needed on the group of 

children you are serving, but not on individual children. Requesting data in this way does 

not violate FERPA (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). 

You are not likely to be able to count children who were in a different school district in 

the year prior to service or transfer away from the school during the school year. See the 

Resource Packet for a suggested method of requesting the data your program needs. 

Regarding the use of other standardized tests: The test should be administered to the 

students participating in the program before they begin service and again near the end of 

the service delivery period. Some tests suggest measuring improvement at more points 

during the year. Programs should follow the instructions provided by the test they have 

selected. 

Other Notes: • At this time we are piloting a measure of academic achievement for literacy and math 

only. 

Measure ED 6: Number of youth who have improved their school attendance over the course of the 

AmeriCorps program’s involvement with the student. 

References/ 

Authority: 

SAA Indicator: (i) Student engagement, including student attendance and student 

behavior. 
6

Definition of Key 

Terms 

Youth: Those reported in either Measure ED2 or Measure ED4A. 

AmeriCorps Program Involvement: Starts on the date AmeriCorps members begin 

working with students and ends with the date their involvement with the students ends or 

the end of the contract year, whichever comes first. “Working with the students” does not 

need to be in direct work with the students. However, the AmeriCorps members must 

provide direct support that makes the program possible. 

Attended: NCLB approved definition. Based on the academic literature, the desired 

target is “attended 90% of school days.” However, CNCS recognizes that some students 

might make huge improvements without hitting the 90% target and we want to capture 

that change over time. 

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Will need to determine total possible school days between start and end date. Then using 

attendance records determine the actual number of days attended. 

School / classroom attendance logs. To get at improvement over time programs will 

need to obtain data on attendance prior to AmeriCorps program’s involvement with 

student. 

Additional 

Notes: 

This measure is appropriate only for programs serving students with previously 

demonstrated attendance problems. Program should demonstrate that students previously 

had poor attendance and that after attending the program, the students’ attendance 

improved. 

Measure ED 7: Number of students with no or decreased disciplinary referrals and suspensions 

over the course of the AmeriCorps program’s involvement. 

References/ 

Authority: 

SAA Indicator: (i) Student engagement, including student attendance and student 

behavior. 

Definition of 

Key Terms 

Students: Those reported in either Measure ED2 or Measure ED4A. 

AmeriCorps Program Involvement: Starts on the date AmeriCorps members begin 

working with students and ends with the date their involvement ends or the end of the 

contract year -- whichever comes first. “Working with the students” does not need to be 

in direct work with the students. However, the AmeriCorps members must provide direct 

support that makes the program possible. Disciplinary Referral: Serious disciplinary 

actions may include referrals to the principal’s office, referrals to alternative schools or 

programs, referrals to the juvenile justice system, in-school or out-of-school suspensions, 

or expulsions. Suspension: All disciplinary actions that result in the student being 

excluded from class. 

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Compare number of disciplinary referrals and suspensions between the start and end date 

of the AmeriCorps members’ involvement against the baseline for each student. 

School / classroom disciplinary records. 

Additional 

Notes: 

This measure is appropriate only for programs serving students with previously 

demonstrated disciplinary or suspension problems. The Program should demonstrate 

that students previously had disciplinary or suspension problems and that after attending 

the program, they had fewer disciplinary referrals and suspensions. 

Measure ED 8: Number of youth with decreased substance abuse, arrest, or gang involvement. 

References/ 

Authority: 

SAA Indicator: (i) Student engagement, including student attendance and student 

behavior. 
7 - 10/25/2010

Definitions: Youth: Those reported in either Measure ED2 or Measure ED4A. 

Gang involvement: May mean associating with gang members or participating in gang 

activities. 

Substance abuse: May mean use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs, including abuse 

of prescription drugs. 

Arrest: Means an action by a police officer that is called “arrest” by that law 

enforcement agency regardless of whether the arrest results in a conviction. 

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Measure gets at the instances of substance abuse, arrest, or gang involvement before 

and after the AmeriCorps program. 

Either official police records or pre-program and post-program surveys; Pre-program 

survey should refer to at least prior year. If surveys are used, they need to be validated 

instruments. As this information is highly sensitive, the survey process is also very 

important. 

Additional 

Notes: 

This measure is appropriate only for programs serving students with previously 

demonstrated substance abuse, arrest, or gang involvement problems. The Program 

should demonstrate that students have had at least one of these problems in the past and 

that after attending the program, they experienced a decline in that problem. 

Measure ED 9: Number of students graduating from high school on time with a diploma. 

References/ 

Authority: 

SAA Indicator: (iii) Secondary school graduation rates. 

Definition of 

Key Terms 

Students: Those reported in either Measure ED2 or Measure ED4A. 

On Time: Within four years. 

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

School/district promotion and graduation records of individual students who 

participated in AmeriCorps program. 

Notes: This performance indicator is best suited for AmeriCorps programs that primarily serve 

11th and 12th graders and whose objective is promoting high school graduation. 

· Can you develop a reasonable baseline or “comparison” group consisting of the 

population you plan to serve? For example, what is the typical high school 

graduation rate of the population you intend to serve? This will become your 

comparison group or serve as your baseline. The youth served in your program 

should have a higher rate of high school graduation than this group.

· Will you be able to set a “reach” target, the minimum anticipated percent of 

students participating in your education or mentoring program who you hope will 

graduate from high school; will the percentage you set challenge your program to 

reach that target? 

Measure ED 10: Number of students entering post-secondary institutions. 

References/ 

Authority: 

SAA Indicator: (iv) Rate of college enrollment and continued college enrollment for 

recipients of a high school diploma. 
8

Definition of 

Key Terms 

Students: those reported in either Measure ED2 or Measure ED4A. 

Post-secondary institutions may include two-year and four-year colleges 

Entering: means matriculating as a full-time or part-time student. 

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Either Measure ED2 or Measure ED4A is the denominator. 

Registration records that confirm student enrollments or self report on follow up 

surveys. 

Notes: This performance indicator is best suited for AmeriCorps programs that focus on 

preparing high school students for college. 

 Can you develop a reasonable baseline or “comparison” group consisting of the

population you plan to serve who enter post-secondary institutions? Or, what is 

the typical post-secondary school enrollment rate of the population you intend 

to serve? This will become your comparison group or serve as your baseline. 

The youth served in your program should have a higher rate of post-secondary 

school enrollment than this group.

 Will you be able to set a “reach” target, the minimum anticipated percent of 

students participating in your education or mentoring program who you hope 

will enter a post-secondary institution; will the percentage you set challenge 

your program to reach that target? 

Measure ED 11: Number of students earning a post-secondary degree. 

References/ 

Authority: 

SAA Indicator: (iv) Rate of college enrollment and continued college enrollment for 

recipients of a high school diploma. 

Definition of 

Key Terms 

Students: those reported in either Measure ED2 or Measure ED4A. 

Degree: may include an associate degree from an accredited academic program or an 

occupational or vocational program; a bachelor’s degree (ex., BA, AB, BS); a master’s 

degree (ex.: MA, MS, MEng, MEd, MSW); a professional school degree (ex.: MD, 

DDS, DVM); or a doctorate degree (ex.: PhD, EdD). 

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Either Measure ED2 or Measure ED4A is the denominator. 

Registration records that confirm degree was earned or self report on follow up 

surveys.

Notes: This performance indicator is best suited for AmeriCorps programs that focus on 

preparing high school students for college or programs that work with students in 

college to help them succeed. 

 Can you develop a reasonable baseline or “comparison” group? For example, 

of the students you plan to serve, what proportion of those who graduate from 

high school typically complete a post-secondary degree? This would be your 

comparison group or the group who do not receive your service.

 Will you be able to set a “reach” target, the minimum anticipated percent of 

students participating in your education or mentoring program who you hope 

will earn a post-secondary degree; will the percentage you set challenge your 

program to reach that target? Remember that the target you set would need to 

be higher than what occurs already in the comparison group so that you can 

show the difference that your program is making. 
9 - 10/25/2010

Teacher Corps Measures

These measures are intended to be used by AmeriCorps programs where the AmeriCorps members 

serve as the primary teacher in a classroom setting during their placements. The AmeriCorps 

members may serve in public, charter, or private schools to address a critical shortage of teaching 

professionals in a high needs area or school. 

 Applicants providing a Teacher Corps Program must use Measures ED1 and ED2, 

Measures ED12-ED 14 AND Measures ED16 - ED17. 

 Measures ED 15, ED18 and ED19 are optional. 

 

Measure ED 12: Number of AmeriCorps members who begin serving as teachers through a 

Teacher Corps program. 

References/ 

Authority: 

SAA Indicator: (vi) Any additional local indicator (applicable to a particular recipient 

and on which an improvement in performance is needed) relating to improving 

education for students, that is approved by the Corporation or a State Commission 

Definition of 

Key Terms 

Teacher: Is responsible for leading one or more classes of students in grades K-12. 

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Teacher Corps programs will identify the number of AmeriCorps members who are 

working as teachers. 

Measure ED 13: Number of AmeriCorps members who completed serving as teachers through a 

Teacher Corps program. 

References/ 

Authority: 

SAA Indicator: (vi) Any additional local indicator (applicable to a particular recipient 

and on which an improvement in performance is needed) relating to improving 

education for students, that is approved by the Corporation or a State Commission. 

Definition of 

Key Terms 

Number of AmeriCorps members identified in Measure ED12 who completed their 

term of service. 

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Teacher Corps programs will identify the number of AmeriCorps members who 

complete the Teacher Corps program. The Corporation will verify with Trust Data. 

Measure ED 14: Number of individuals teaching in high need schools. 

References/ 

Authority: 

SAA Indicator: (vi) Any additional local indicator (applicable to a particular recipient 

and on which an improvement in performance is needed) relating to improving 

education for students, that is approved by the Corporation or a State Commission. 

Definition of 

Key Terms 

Individuals: Teachers counted in Measure ED13. 

High need: Any school that meets the definitions outlined in the Race to the Top 

Notice of Funding Opportunity (CFDA #:84.395A) for High Poverty School or 

Persistently Low Achieving School. http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-

27427.pdf
10

ED 15 is Optional 

Measure ED 15: Number of students in AmeriCorps teacher classrooms with improved academic 

performance. 

References/ 

Authority: 

SAA Indicator: (ii) Student academic achievement. 

Definition of 

Key Terms 

Students: The students completing the school year who are enrolled in the classes 

taught by teachers counted in Measure ED13 and who are counted in Measure ED2. 

Improved academic performance: as measured by an improved demonstration of 

skill/knowledge at post-test as compared to pre-test (gain score) using a standardized 

instrument. Many standardized test instruments provide expected levels of improvement 

for particular starting points. Those would be the most appropriate improvement levels 

for programs to select. Programs may request a post-test only assessment option that 

would count as “improved” only those students who perform at grade level on the posttest. Only those programs that demonstrate they are serving below grade level students 

and that demonstrate a sufficient reason for not conducting a pre-test/post-test may 

request this option. 

Standardized test/instrument: has been validated externally on a randomly-selected 

population of students; may be a state, standardized test or other standardized test. 
11 - 10/25/2010

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Programs will report the number of students from Measure ED2 who: 

(1) achieve the “gain” or amount of progress that was approved at grant award, and/or 

(2) perform on grade level if the post-test only method is being used. 

Amount of progress required: 

The amount of progress required to count as “improved academic performance” must be 

specified in the approved grant application. If the Program is using different tests for 

different groups of children, then different amounts of progress may be specified by test. 

Some tests may specify different amounts of progress based on the pre-test results. 

 

Programs should select a standardized test that:

(1) measures the types of student skills/knowledge the program is trying to improve 

through its efforts, 

(2) is appropriate for the grade level, 

(3) has demonstrated validity or reliability for the population they are serving, 

and (4) is compatible with and acceptable to the school where the program is providing 

services (different tests may be used at different schools). 

Regarding the use of state standardized tests administered by the school: These 

tests have the advantage of already being in place and having an infrastructure to 

support their use, and of course students would have taken these tests anyway. State 

standardized tests can only be used if they are administered near the end of the prior 

year and then again near the end of the current year (this will not be the case for all 

grade levels). Programs may request a post-test only assessment option that would 

count as “improved” only those students who perform at grade level on the post-test. 

Only those programs that demonstrate they are serving below grade level students and 

that demonstrate a sufficient reason for not conducting a pre-test/post-test may request 

this option. 

Obtaining test scores from school systems: 

For programs not themselves administering the test, the Program will need to have some 

form of agreement, such as an MOU (memorandum of understanding) with the school to 

ensure that data for the needed children can be secured. Data are needed on the group of

children you are serving, but not on individual children. Requesting data in this way 

does not violate FERPA (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). 

These data have the disadvantage that you will not be able to count children who were 

in a different school district in the year prior to service or transfer away from the school 

during the school year unless the two school systems are within the same state and 

efforts are made to match pre-service scores in one district with post-service scores in 

another. See the Resource Packet for a suggested method of requesting the data you 

need. 

Regarding the use of other standardized tests: The test should be administered to the 

students participating in the program before they begin service and again near the end of 

the service delivery period. Some tests suggest measuring improvement at more points 

during the year. Programs should follow the instructions provided by the test they have 

selected. 

Other Notes: • At this time we are piloting a measure of academic achievement for literacy and 

math only. 
12

Measure ED 16: Number of individuals teaching in schools in the year after term of service. 

References/ 

Authority: 

SAA Indicator: (vi) Any additional local indicator (applicable to a particular recipient 

and on which an improvement in performance is needed) relating to improving 

education for students, that is approved by the Corporation or a State Commission. 

Definition of 

Key Terms 

Individuals: AmeriCorps teachers counted in Measure ED 13. 

Teaching: Having primary responsibility for at least one classroom of children in grades 

K-12. 

After Term of Service: Refers to the school year after the term of service ends. 

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Follow-up survey of Teacher Corps members; program administrative records. 

Measure ED 17: Number of teachers remaining in the education field, but not teaching in a school 

(school support staff, school administration, district administration policy, 

education nonprofits, etc.) after their term of service. 

References/ 

Authority: 

SAA Indicator: (vi) Any additional local indicator (applicable to a particular recipient 

and on which an improvement in performance is needed) relating to improving 

education for students, that is approved by the Corporation or a State Commission. 

Definition of 

Key Terms 

Teachers: AmeriCorps teachers counted in Measure ED13 

Not teaching in a school: school support staff, school administration, district 

administration policy, education non-profits, etc. 

After Term of Service: refers to the school year after the term of service ends. 

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Follow-up survey of Teacher Corps members; program administrative records 

Measures ED18 and ED19 are optional. 

Measure ED 18: Number of teachers who have had a positive impact on student learning as 

determined by observation-based assessments of teacher performance. 

References/ 

Authority: 

SAA Indicator: (ii) Student academic achievement. 

Definition of 

Key Terms 

Teachers: AmeriCorps teachers counted in Measure ED13. 

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Consistent with Race to the Top, this measure can be used as an optional supplement to 

academic achievement for assessing teacher effectiveness. 

Other Notes: Race to the Top suggests an observation-based assessment approach to supplement 

student performance. http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-27427.pdf
13 - 10/25/2010

Measure ED 19: Number of individuals receiving certification to teach in schools after their term of 

service. 

References/ 

Authority: 

SAA Indicator: (vi) Any additional local indicator (applicable to a particular recipient 

and on which an improvement in performance is needed) relating to improving 

education for students, that is approved by the Corporation or a State Commission. 

Definition of 

Key Terms 

Receiving certification: according to NCLB standard. 

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Follow-up survey of Teacher Corps members; program administrative records 

Early Childhood programs must choose measures ED20 and ED21 and then at least one measure 

from ED22-25. 

Measure ED 20: Number of children who start in an AmeriCorps early childhood education 

program. 

Definition of 

Key Terms 

Education program: AmeriCorps members help pre-K students maintain enrollment in 

and succeed in early childhood education programs. The help that AmeriCorps 

members provide does not need to be in direct service to the students. However, the 

AmeriCorps members must provide direct support that makes the program possible. 

Start in: students enrolled in the early childhood education program at the beginning of 

the program year. Counts may be updated if the number of participants increases. 

How to 

Calculate/Measu

re/Collect Data: 

Count of students who enroll in the program. Students may or may not complete the 

program. Each student should be counted only once during the program year. 

Measure ED 21: Number of children who complete participation in an AmeriCorps early childhood 

education program. 

Definition of 

Key Terms 

Education program: AmeriCorps members help pre-K students maintain enrollment in 

and succeed in early childhood education programs. The ’help‘that AmeriCorps 

members provide does not need to be in direct service to the students. However, the 

AmeriCorps members must provide direct support that makes the program possible. 

Complete participation: At the outset of the activity, the program should indicate how 

many days or hours are required in order to complete the activity. Then they will only 

count the number of students who meet that threshold by the end of the year. This 

number will be used as the denominator for selected measures and therefore the amount 

of attendance should be enough to influence the results. 

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Count of students from Measure 20 who complete participation in the activity as 

indicated by above definition. 

 

Notes: This is a primary measure CNCS will use to establish how many children are 

participating in early childhood education programs. Measure 20 and Measure 21 

together will indicate how many children drop out/are retained by these programs. 
14

Measure ED 22: Number of children accessing high quality early childhood education programs 

References/ 

Authority: 

The State of Preschool, 2009, National Institute for Early Education Research, 

www.nieer.org

Prepared for Kindergarten: What does readiness mean? Debra Ackerman and W. 

Steven Barnett, www.nieer.org

Head Start Impact Study, Final Report, January 2010, US Dept of Health and Human 

Services, Administration on Children and Families 

Head Start Family and Child Experiences Survey (FACES) 1997-2010 

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/hs/faces/

A Review of School Readiness Factors in the States: Early Learning Guidelines and 

Assessments, http://www.childtrends.org/Files//Child_Trends2010_06_18_ECH_SchoolReadiness.pdf. 

Definition of 

Key Terms 

High quality: Early childhood education programs with all four of the following 

characteristics-- 

 Teacher & Assistant teacher qualifications 

 Class size limits 

 Appropriate teacher to child ratios 

 Learning and development occurs across all domains with programs that 

address children’s physical well-being and motor development, social/emotional 

development, approaches towards learning, language development and 

cognition. 

Access: By “accessing” we are referring to children enrolled in high quality early 

childhood education programs as opposed to children to whom such programs are 

available. 

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/Collect 

Data

Count of students from Measure 21 who are enrolled in an AmeriCorps early childhood 

education program that is either a high quality program or is conducted through or in 

addition to a high quality early childhood education program. Programs providing 

services or supplementary instruction to children in early childhood education programs 

that are not high quality according to the definition above, should not select this 

measure. 

Measure ED 23 Number of children demonstrating gains in school readiness in terms of social and 

emotional development. 

References/ 

Authority: 

A Review of School Readiness Factors in the States: Early Learning Guidelines and 

Assessments, http://www.childtrends.org/Files//Child_Trends2010_06_18_ECH_SchoolReadiness.pdf. 

Definition of 

Key Terms 

School readiness: Preparation for Kindergarten which includes multiple indicators 

assessed across developmental and behavioral domains including but not limited to 

physical well being, health and motor development, social and emotional development, 

approaches to learning, language development, cognitive development and ageappropriate skills and behavior. 

Social and emotional development: this particular school readiness indicator is the 

focus for Measure 23 
15 - 10/25/2010

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/Collect 

Data 

Programs should obtain counts of the number of children demonstrating gains in school 

readiness based on social and emotional development. 

Accredited early childhood education programs may already have state requirements in 

place for assessing the social and emotional development of children to determine 

school readiness. For example, such a measure may be: 

“The number of children who often or very often exhibit positive social behaviors when 

interacting with their peers”. 

This suggested measure is from the National School Readiness Indicators Initiative 

Project (Feb 2005) 

http://www.gettingready.org/matriarch/d.asp?PageID=303&PageName2=pdfhold&p=&

PageName=Getting+Ready+%2D+Executive+Summary%282%29%2Epdf

Measure ED 24 Number of children demonstrating gains in school readiness in terms of literacy 

skills 

References/ 

Authority: 

A Review of School Readiness Factors in the States: Early Learning Guidelines and 

Assessments, http://www.childtrends.org/Files//Child_Trends2010_06_18_ECH_SchoolReadiness.pdf. 

Definition of 

Key Terms 

School readiness: Preparation for Kindergarten which includes multiple indicators 

assessed across developmental and behavioral domains including but not limited to 

physical well being, health and motor development, social and emotional development, 

approaches to learning, language development, cognitive development and ageappropriate skills and behavior. 

Literacy skills: this particular school readiness indicator is the focus for Measure 24 

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/Collect 

Data 

Programs should obtain counts of the number of children demonstrating gains in school 

readiness based on their literacy skills. 

Accredited early childhood education programs have state requirements for assessing 

literacy skills of children to determine school readiness. For example, such a measure 

may be: 

“Number of children almost always recognizing the relationships between letters and 

sounds at kindergarten entry”. 

This suggested measure is from the National School Readiness Indicators Initiative 

Project (Feb 2005) 

http://www.gettingready.org/matriarch/d.asp?PageID=303&PageName2=pdfhold&p=&

PageName=Getting+Ready+%2D+Executive+Summary%282%29%2Epdf

Measure ED 25 Number of children demonstrating gains in school readiness in terms of numeracy 

(math) skills 

References/ 

Authority: 

A Review of School Readiness Factors in the States: Early Learning Guidelines and 

Assessments, http://www.childtrends.org/Files//Child_Trends2010_06_18_ECH_SchoolReadiness.pdf. 

Definition of Key 

Terms 

School readiness: Preparation for Kindergarten which includes multiple indicators 

assessed across developmental and behavioral domains including but not limited to 

physical well being, health and motor development, social and emotional development, 

approaches to learning, language development, cognitive development and ageappropriate skills and behavior. 

Numeracy skills: this particular school readiness indicator is the focus for Measure 25.
16

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/Collect 

Data 

Programs should obtain counts of the number of children demonstrating gains in school 

readiness based on their numeracy (math) skills. 

Accredited early childhood education programs have state requirements for assessing 

numeracy (math) skills of children to determine school readiness. For example, such a 

measure may be: 

“Number of children at kindergarten entry who can count beyond 10, sequence patterns 

and use nonstandard units of length to compare number”. 

This suggested measure is from the National School Readiness Indicators Initiative 

Project (Feb 2005) 

http://www.gettingready.org/matriarch/d.asp?PageID=303&PageName2=pdfhold&p=&

PageName=Getting+Ready+%2D+Executive+Summary%282%29%2Epdf

Measure ED 26: Number of students acquiring a GED. 

References/ 

Authority: 

SAA Indicator: (iii) Secondary school graduation rates. 

Definition of 

Key Terms 

Students: Those reported in either Measure ED2 or Measure ED4A. 

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

GED completion records of individual students who participated in AmeriCorps 

program. 

Notes: This performance indicator is best suited for AmeriCorps programs that primarily serve 

11th and 12th graders and whose objective is promoting GED completion. 

 Can you develop a reasonable baseline or “comparison” group consisting of the 

population you plan to serve? For example, what is the typical GED completion 

rate of the population you intend to serve? This will become your comparison 

group or serve as your baseline. The youth served in your program should have 

a higher rate of GED completion than this group.

 Will you be able to set a “reach” target, the minimum anticipated percent of 

students participating in your education or mentoring program who you hope 

will acquire a GED; will the percentage you set challenge your program to reach 

that target? 
17 - 10/25/2010

HEALTHY FUTURES FOCUS AREA 

Grants in the Healthy Futures Focus Area will meet health needs within communities including 

access to care, aging in place, and addressing childhood obesity. Access to care is broadly 

defined and may include health insurance, culturally appropriate health care interventions, 

transportation, language translation, access to disease and disability prevention, health promotion 

initiatives, health literacy and efforts to address health disparities. Grants may support older 

adults, homebound individuals and disabled individuals with activities such as food delivery, 

transportation or other services that allow them to live independently, including evidence-based 

programs supported by other partner agencies such as the U. S. Departments of Health and 

Human Services and Veterans Affairs. The Corporation seeks to fund programs that target risk 

factors for childhood obesity, including poor nutrition and physical inactivity, and that reflect the 

recommendations of the National Prevention Council and the White House Task Force on 

Childhood Obesity. 

 Applicants must select at least one of the measures (H1-H8) that matches their program 

model. 

 Applicants must develop their own aligned outcome measures. 

 

Measure H1: Number of individuals who are uninsured, economically disadvantaged, medically 

underserved, or living in rural areas utilizing preventive and primary health care 

services and programs. 

References/ 

Authority: 

SAA indicator: (i) Access to health services among economically disadvantaged 

individuals and individuals who are members of medically underserved populations. 

SAA activity: (ii) Assisting individuals in obtaining access to health services, including 

oral health services, for themselves or their children. 

SAA activity: (iii) Educating economically disadvantaged individuals and individuals 

who are members of medically underserved populations about, and engaging 

individuals described in this clause in, initiatives regarding navigating the health 

services system and regarding disease prevention and health promotion, with a 

particular focus on common health conditions, chronic diseases, and conditions, for 

which disease prevention and health promotion measures exist and for which 

socioeconomic, geographic, and racial and ethnic health disparities exist. 
18

Definition of Key 

Terms 

Uninsured: An individual lacks insurance coverage. (This definition is consistent with 

the National Health Information Survey (NHIS). 

Economically disadvantaged individuals: Meet income eligibility criteria for 

Medicaid or SCHIP in the state where the individual/family accessing services resides; 

do not have to meet other eligibility criteria. 

Medically underserved: An individual who lives in a medically underserved area, as 

defined by HHS, or is a member of a medically underserved population. The term 

‘medically underserved population’ has the meaning given that term in section 

330(b)(3) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b(b)(3)). Programs may also 

provide justification for other medically underserved populations. 

Healthcare services: Accessible, comprehensive, continuous, and coordinated care to 

preserve health and prevent, treat or manage disease or infirmity, provided and 

consistently available in the context of family and community. 

Preventive health care services: Preventive health behavior is "any activity 

undertaken by an individual who (believed to be) healthy for the purpose of preventing 

or detecting illness in an asymptomatic state" (Kasl and Cobb 1966, p.246). 

Primary health care: The concept of primary health care was defined by the World 

Health Organization in 1978 as both a level of health service delivery and an approach 

to health care practice. Primary care, as the provision of essential health care, is the 

basis of a health care system. This is in contrast to secondary health care, which is 

consultative, short term, and disease oriented for the purpose of assisting the primary 

care practitioner. 

Count unduplicated new individuals who actually use the preventive and primary 

health care services and programs, as a result of the grantee’s activities.

How to Measure/ 

Collect Data: 

Grantee records that are follow-up data on clients referred to health care services and 

programs. Requires grantee to follow-up with client. 

Measure H2: Number of clients to whom information on health insurance, health care access 

and health benefits programs is delivered. 

References/ 

Authority: 

SAA indicator: (ii) Access to health services for uninsured individuals, including such 

individuals who are economically disadvantaged children. 

SAA activity: (ii) Assisting individuals in obtaining access to health services, including 

oral health services, for themselves or their children. 

SAA activity: (i) Assisting economically disadvantaged individuals in navigating the 

health services system. 

SAA activity: (iii) Educating economically disadvantaged individuals and individuals 

who are members of medically underserved populations about, and engaging 

individuals described in this clause in, initiatives regarding navigating the health 

services system and regarding disease prevention and health promotion, with a 

particular focus on common health conditions, chronic diseases, and conditions, for 

which disease prevention and health promotion measures exist and for which 

socioeconomic, geographic, and racial and ethnic health disparities exist. 
19 - 10/25/2010

Definition of Key 

Terms The information may be delivered using methods such as individual-level interactions, 

group-level interactions, hotlines, clearinghouses, etc. 

Health insurance: Risk arrangement that assures financial coverage for a defined 

range of health care services, known as benefits, only if these are required. Coverage is 

offered to an individual or group in exchange for regular payments (premiums paid 

regardless of use of benefits) by a licensed third party (not a health care provider) or 

entity, usually an insurance company or government agency that pays for medical 

services but does not receive or provide health care services. 

Preventive health care services: Preventive health behavior is "any activity 

undertaken by an individual who is (believed to be) healthy for the purpose of 

preventing or detecting illness in an asymptomatic state" (Kasl and Cobb 1966, p.246). 

In the context of healthcare services this may include the provision of a range of 

activities such as immunizations, family planning, and health/wellness education. More 

broadly this includes individuals engaging in lifestyle changes (e.g., nutrition, exercise) 

to help mitigate risk of disease. 

Count unduplicated new individuals who are provided with information, as a result of 

the grantee’s activities. If more than one method of delivery is used (e.g., a group-level 

interaction followed by an individual-level interaction), count the client only once. 

How to Measure/ 

Collect Data: 

Grantee reports and logs of interactions with clients. 

Measure H3: Number of clients enrolled in health insurance, health services, and health 

benefits programs. 

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA indicator: (i) Access to health services among economically disadvantaged 

individuals and individuals who are members of medically underserved populations. 

SAA indicator: (ii) Access to health services for uninsured individuals, including such 

individuals who are economically disadvantaged children; 

SAA activity: (i) Assisting economically disadvantaged individuals in navigating the 

health services system; 

SAA activity: (ii) Assisting individuals in obtaining access to health services, including 

oral health services, for themselves or their children; 

SAA activity: (iii) Educating economically disadvantaged individuals and individuals 

who are members of medically underserved populations about, and engaging 

individuals described in this clause in, initiatives regarding navigating the health 

services system and regarding disease prevention and health promotion, with a 

particular focus on common health conditions, chronic diseases, and conditions, for 

which disease prevention and health promotion measures exist and for which 

socioeconomic, geographic, and racial and ethnic health disparities exist. 
20

Definition of 

Key Terms 

Enrolled would mean newly enrolled, as a result of grantee activities. Clients may or 

may not have existing health insurance, or previous use of health services and health 

benefits programs. 

Health insurance: is risk arrangement that assures financial coverage for a defined 

range of health care services, known as benefits, only if these are required. Coverage is 

offered to an individual or group in exchange for regular payments (premiums paid 

regardless of use of benefits) by a licensed third party (not a health care provider) or 

entity, usually an insurance company or government agency that pays for medical 

services but does not receive or provide health care services. 

The new unduplicated clients that were ultimately enrolled in a health insurance, health 

services, or health benefits program. Count each client only once. For example, 

enrolling a client in health insurance and then enrolling that same client in a health 

service would count as one client.

How to 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Grantee records or data (application and follow-up) on client enrollment and health 

insurance status. 

Measure H4: Number of clients participating in health education programs. 

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA indicator: (iii) Participation, among economically disadvantaged individuals and 

individuals who are members of medically underserved populations, in disease 

prevention and health promotion initiatives, particularly those with a focus on 

addressing common health conditions, addressing chronic diseases, and decreasing 

health disparities. 

SAA indicator: (iv) Literacy of patients regarding health 

SAA activity: (ii) Assisting individuals in obtaining access to health services, including 

oral health services, for themselves or their children; 

SAA activities: (vii) Assisting in health promotion interventions that improve health 

status, and helping people adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles and habits to improve 

health status; 

SAA activity: (iii) Educating economically disadvantaged individuals and individuals 

who are members of medically underserved populations about, and engaging 

individuals described in this clause in, initiatives regarding navigating the health 

services system and regarding disease prevention and health promotion, with a 

particular focus on common health conditions, chronic diseases, and conditions, for 

which disease prevention and health promotion measures exist and for which 

socioeconomic, geographic, and racial and ethnic health disparities exist. 

Definition of Key 

Terms 

Health education program: “any planned combination of learning experiences 

designed to predispose, enable, and reinforce voluntary behavior conducive to health in 

individuals, groups or communities.” (Green, LW and Kreuter, MW. Health Promotion 

Planning: An Educational and Ecological Approach, 3rd ed. Mountain View, CA: 

Mayfield Publishing Company; 1999.) An educational process by which the public 

health system conveys information to the community regarding community health 

status, health care needs, positive health behaviors and health care policy issues. 

(National Public Health Performance Standards Project.) 
21 - 10/25/2010

Count unduplicated new clients who participate in the grantee’s health education 

program. If the health education program has multiple sessions, topics, etc., count the 

client once. Do not count clients by number of sessions. For example, if a health 

education program meets once a month for one year, and has 12 participants who 

complete, then only report 12 (not 144).

How to Measure/ 

Collect Data: 

Grantee collects data on clients attending each session. Logs, case management 

systems, etc. 

Measure H5: Number of children and youth engaged in in-school or afterschool physical 

education activities with the purpose of reducing childhood obesity. 

References/ 

Authority: 

SAA Indicator: (viii) Addressing childhood obesity through in-school and after-school 

physical activities, and providing nutrition education to students, in elementary schools 

and secondary schools. 

Definition of Key 

Terms 

Children and youth must be enrolled in elementary, middle, or high school programs 

within a public, charter, private, or home-school arrangement. 

Physical education activities must be in addition to regular activities that would have 

been provided by the school or afterschool program (cannot supplant existing 

activities). One goal of the physical activity should be to reduce or prevent childhood 

obesity. 

How to Measure/ 

Collect Data: 

Count of the number of children actively participating in the activities. Not just the 

number enrolled or even the number attending, but rather the number who engage in 

the activities. Count each child only once.

Measure H6: Number of children and youth receiving nutrition education with the purpose of 

reducing childhood obesity. 

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA Indicator: (viii) Addressing childhood obesity through in-school and afterschool 

physical activities, and providing nutrition education to students, in elementary schools 

and secondary schools. 

Definition of 

Key Terms 

Children and youth must be enrolled in elementary, middle, or high school programs 

within a public, charter, private, or home-school arrangement. 

Nutrition education must be in addition to what they would have regularly received as 

part of planned school curriculum or afterschool activity (cannot supplant existing 

activities). The education should be appropriate to the grade level. 

How to 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Count of the number of children attending the nutrition education sessions. If delivered 

to a classroom, count the number of children in attendance that day (not the enrollment 

of children in the classroom). Every effort should be made to count each child only 

once. If the nutrition education program includes multiple topics or sessions, count 

each child once.

Measure H7: Number of clients receiving language translation services at clinics and in 

emergency rooms. 

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA activity: (v) Providing translation services at clinics and in emergency rooms to 

improve health services. 

SAA activity: (ii) Assisting individuals in obtaining access to health services, including 

oral health services, for themselves or their children; 
22

Definition of Key 

Terms 

Clinic: Any medical facility or establishment where medical services are provided, and 

where more than one medical specialty is practiced. This may include public health 

clinics, hospitals, etc. 

Emergency rooms: Located in hospitals or care facilities and handle cases that require 

immediate attention. 

Translation: Includes both written and verbal, interpretive services to help patients not 

fluent in English writing and/or speaking better communicate their medical needs and 

understand their medical instructions. 

Count unduplicated new clients who receive the language translation services. If an 

encounter involves more than one person (e.g., family members), count each individual 

separately. 

How to Measure/ 

Collect Data: 

Grantee collects data on clients who received translation services at clinics or 

emergency rooms. Logs, case management systems, etc. 

Measure H8: Number of homebound OR older adults and individuals with disabilities receiving 

food, transportation, or other services that allow them to live independently. 

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA Indicator: (ix) Addressing issues faced by home-bound citizens, such as needs for 

food deliveries, legal and medical services, nutrition information, and transportation. 

Definition of Key 

Terms 

Homebound: Individuals unable to leave their personal residence due to disability, 

injury, or age; may be a short term or long term need; for example, an individual 

may have a broken hip that prevents them from driving for a few months but 

after the injury has healed they no longer require help to live independently. 

Older Adults: Individuals age 65 or older. 

Person with a Disability: An individual who has a physical or mental impairment 

that substantially limits one or more major life 

activities; has a record of such an impairment; or is regarded as having such an 

impairment, even though no impairment in fact exists. 

Live independently: Individuals live in a private residence (house, apartment, mobile 

home, etc.) rather than in an assisted living facility, nursing home, or group home. 

Receiving food, transportation, or other services: Individual should receive the 

supports needed to maintain independent living; not all individuals will require the 

same supports; may include food deliveries, legal and medical services, nutrition 

information, transportation, etc. 

How to Measure/ 

Collect Data: 

Count number of qualifying individuals as defined above who receive the service. 

Each individual should be counted only once. If two eligible individuals live at the 

same address, they should both be counted. If an eligible individual lives with 

someone else who is not eligible, the non-eligible individuals in the household should 

not be counted. Each individual should be counted only once during the program year 

even though most individuals are likely to need on-going support. 

Project Star information kits created for Senior Corps provide some information about 

how to track services. 
23 - 10/25/2010

OPPORTUNITY FOCUS AREA 

Grants in the Opportunity Focus Area will meet the needs of economically vulnerable 

Americans, their families and their communities. Opportunity programs may include activities 

that assist individuals and families that are homeless or at risk of homelessness; provide financial 

literacy training and tools designed to improve financial security; and expand employment 

possibilities. Opportunity programs include those that engage economically vulnerable 

Americans as AmeriCorps members leading to positive employment and/or educational 

outcomes. The Corporation will also support programs undertake community-based strategies to 

redevelop local areas that are struggling with under-investment and other barriers to economic 

opportunity. 

Applicant must select at least one measure (O1-O7) that matches their program model. (See 

measures O12-O17 if primary focus of program is on member development.) 

 If selecting Measure O1, must also select Measure O9. 

 If selecting Measure O3, must also select Measure O10. 

 If selecting Measure O5, must also select Measure O11. 

 If selecting Measures O2, O4, O6, or O7, applicants must develop their own aligned 

measure. 

Measure O1: 

(must also select 

Measure O9) 

Number of economically disadvantaged individuals receiving financial literacy 

services. 

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA activity: (i) Providing financial literacy education to economically disadvantaged 

individuals, including financial literacy education with regard to credit management, 

financial institutions including banks and credit unions, and utilization of savings plans.

Definition of Key 

Terms 

Economically disadvantaged: Must be receiving or meet the income eligibility 

requirements to receive: TANF, Food Stamps (SNAP), Medicaid, SCHIP, Section 8 

housing assistance OR have a poor credit score OR are at least 60 days behind on one 

or more personal/family accounts. 

Individuals: May be a single individual or may represent a family; may be of any age 

considered an “adult” in the state where services are provided 

Financial literacy services: “financial literacy education with regard to credit 

management, financial institutions including banks and credit unions, and utilization of 

savings plans” SAA. 

Unduplicated count of Individuals to whom the “financial literacy services” are 

provided. Note that this is not simply a referral service. Individuals may contact the 

organization more than once during the year to get help but each individual should be 

reported here only once. Services may be provided in-person, on the phone, or by 

email.

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Tracking mechanism appropriate for type of service. May be a sign-in sheet or a 

tracking database. 

Measure O2: Number of economically disadvantaged individuals receiving job training and 

other skill development services. 
24

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA indicator: (iii) The number of economically disadvantaged individuals with access 

to job training and other skill enhancement. 

SAA activity: Facilitating enrollment in and completion of job training for 

economically disadvantaged individuals. 

Definition of Key 

Terms 

Economically disadvantaged individuals: Must be receiving or meet the income 

eligibility requirements to receive: TANF, Food Stamps (SNAP), Medicaid, SCHIP, 

Section 8 housing assistance OR have a poor credit score OR are at least 60 days 

behind on one or more personal/family accounts. 

Job training: occupational skill training delivered in an institutional or classroom 

setting or skill training provided in an experiential workplace setting (may be called onthe-job training or work experience). P. 3, Job Training Policy in the United States, The 

Upjohn Institute, 2004. 

Other skill development services: these include: 

 Remedial Education such as Adult Basic Education, GED Education, Adult 

ESL Education.

 Classroom soft skills training that provides information about appropriate 

workplace behavior or job search skills.

Job Training Policy in the United States, The Upjohn Institute, 2004. 

Unduplicated count of individuals completing the job training or skill development 

service for which they have signed up.

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Suggested method is course attendance records. 

Measure O3: 

(must also select 

Measure O10) 

Number of economically disadvantaged individuals receiving job placement 

services. 

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA activity: (vii) Assisting economically disadvantaged individuals in obtaining 

access to job placement assistance. 

Definition of Key 

Terms 

Economically disadvantaged individuals: Must be receiving or meet the income 

eligibility requirements to receive: TANF, Food Stamps (SNAP), Medicaid, SCHIP, 

Section 8 housing assistance OR have a poor credit score OR are at least 60 days 

behind on one or more personal/family accounts. 

Job training: Occupational skill training delivered in an institutional or classroom 

setting or skill training provided in an experiential workplace setting (may be called onthe-job training or work experience). P. 3, Job Training Policy in the United States, The 

Upjohn Institute, 2004. 

Other skill development services: these include: 

 Remedial Education such as Adult Basic Education, GED Education, Adult 

ESL Education.

 Classroom soft skills training that provides information about appropriate 

workplace behavior or job search skills.

P. 3, Job Training Policy in the United States, The Upjohn Institute, 2004. 
25 - 10/25/2010

Unduplicated count of individuals completing the job placement services for which 

they have signed up.

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Course attendance records. 

Measure O4: Number of housing units developed, repaired, or otherwise made available for 

low-income individuals, families or people with disabilities. 

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA indicator: (ii) The number of housing units built or improved for economically 

disadvantaged individuals or low-income families. 

SAA activity: (ii) Assisting in the construction, rehabilitation, or preservation of 

housing units, including energy efficient homes, for economically disadvantaged 

individuals. 

Definition of Key 

Terms 

Housing unit: A single-family home (including a mobile home if permanently 

placed), an apartment, or a room in a group home for people with disabilities.

Developed: “Develop” means build new or substantially rehabilitate (the alternative to 

rehabilitation is that the unit was uninhabitable or soon would have become so). 

Involves replacing major systems such as the roof, the plumbing, the wiring, the 

foundation, or elevating the unit as required by a flood plain standard. 

Repaired: “Repair” is a more modest level of physical work on the unit, such as 

weatherizing, painting, replacing appliances. 

Can use dollar cut-off to distinguish “developed” from “repaired” (e.g., 30K/unit) or 

can distinguish by whether major systems are replaced. Dollar cut-off would require 

valuing volunteer labor, distinguishing between skilled trades and other workers. 

Otherwise made available: Activities that make available through improved access a 

housing unit that is in the housing stock and likely to remain habitable. For example, 

assistance in searching for the unit, a rent subsidy that makes the unit affordable to the 

individual or family. 

Individuals and families: same as census definition of “household.” 

People with disabilities: Subset of individuals and families that meets a definition 

related to inability to live independently without support (could use HUD definition). 

Separate mention in this measure may not be needed, but could leave it in and count 

units for people with disabilities separately to acknowledge emphasis on this 

population. 

Low-income: Must be receiving or meet the income eligibility requirements to 

receive: TANF, Food Stamps (SNAP), Medicaid, SCHIP, Section 8 housing assistance 

OR have a poor credit score OR are at least 60 days behind on one or more 

personal/family accounts. 

Unduplicated count of Housing Units developed, repaired, or otherwise made available 

as defined here for low income individuals, families or persons with disabilities. This 

count indicates that the work has been completed to make the units available but they 

may or may not have been occupied. 

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Inspection report, certificate of occupancy, or other verification from an external 

agency that the work was completed. 

Measure O5: 

(must also select 

Measure O11) 

Number of economically disadvantaged individuals, including homeless 

individuals, receiving housing placement services. 
26

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA activity: (iii) Assisting economically disadvantaged individuals, including 

homeless individuals, in finding placement in and maintaining housing. 

Definition of Key 

Terms 

Economically disadvantaged: Must be receiving or meet the income eligibility 

requirements to receive: TANF, Food Stamps (SNAP), Medicaid, SCHIP, Section 8 

housing assistance OR have a poor credit score OR are at least 60 days behind on one 

or more personal/family accounts. 

Homeless: Use current HUD definition, which limits homeless people to people who 

spend the night in a place not intended for human habitation, in an emergency shelter, 

or in a transitional housing facility. Very difficult to distinguish other people “at risk” 

of homelessness from poor people in general. 

Individuals: Each unique person who will be occupying the unit legally including 

adults and children but not unborn children. 

Housing placement services: Helps qualifying individuals find appropriate housing, 

find the resources to support use of appropriate housing, and assists individuals in 

accessing the appropriate housing. May or may not result in an actual placement. 

Service requires an engagement with the individual in person, by phone, or through a 

web-interface. Pamphlets, brochures, or web-based information that does not involve a 

human interaction is not sufficient. 

Count of individuals as defined above benefitting from the housing placement service. 

Can only count each individual once during the program year even though it may be 

necessary to provide services to the individual more than once.

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Client tracking database or tracking form. 

Measure O6: Number of individuals receiving emergency food from food banks, food pantries, 

or other nonprofit organizations. 

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA Indicator: (viii) Carrying out a program that seeks to eliminate hunger in lowincome communities and rural areas through service in projects – 

(I) involving food banks, food pantries, and nonprofit organizations that 

provide food during emergencies 

(II) seeking to address the long-term causes of hunger through education and 

the delivery of appropriate services 

(III) providing training in basic health, nutrition, and life skills necessary to 

alleviate hunger in communities and rural areas; or assisting individuals in 

obtaining information about federally supported nutrition programs 

Definition of Key 

Terms 

Note that this measure is about “emergency” assistance which is not meant to designate 

routine help in meeting a family’s needs. The emergency may be experienced by the 

family personally such as their house burning down or it may be experienced by the 

community more broadly such as a natural disaster. 

Count of individuals for whom the distributed food is intended. Should only be 

counted the first time they are served. 

All members of a family should be counted. For example, if the food is given to an 

individual to bring home to a family of “4” than the count is “4” rather than “1”. 

How to Measure/ 

Collect Data: 

Client tracking database or tracking form. 

Please note: Measure O8 has been intentionally deleted 
27 - 10/25/2010

Measure O7: Number of individuals receiving support, services, education and/or referrals to 

alleviate long-term hunger. 

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA Indicator: (viii) Carrying out a program that seeks to eliminate hunger in lowincome communities and rural areas through service in projects – 

(I) involving food banks, food pantries, and nonprofit organizations that 

provide food during emergencies 

(II) seeking to address the long-term causes of hunger through education and 

the delivery of appropriate services 

(III) providing training in basic health, nutrition, and life skills necessary to 

alleviate hunger in communities and rural areas; or assisting individuals in 

obtaining information about federally supported nutrition programs 

Definition of Key 

Terms 

Long-term hunger: refers to the USDA’s definition of “low food security” or “very 

low food security” See 

http://www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/FoodSecurity/labels.htm#labels

Support, services, education, or referrals: helps qualifying individuals access food, 

provides nutritional services, education and life skills to alleviate the food insecurity 

experienced by the individual/family. Service requires an engagement with the 

individual in person, by phone, or through a web-interface. Pamphlets, brochures, or 

web-based information that does not involve a human interaction is not sufficient. 

How to Measure/ 

Collect Data: 

Count of individuals receiving the support, services, education and/or referrals. Each 

individual should be counted only once regardless of the number of different services 

received during the year. Only count individuals directly engaged in the service.

Other Notes: Programs may not focus their services solely on providing referrals to Federal 

assistance programs. 

Applicants selecting Measure O1 must also select Measure O9. 

Measure O9: Number of economically disadvantaged individuals with improved financial 

knowledge. 

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA indicator: (i) the degree of financial literacy among economically disadvantaged 

individuals. 

Definition of Key 

Terms 

Disadvantaged individuals: those counted as participating in Measure O1. 

Improved Financial Knowledge: the financial literacy program should have learning 

objectives. The improved financial knowledge should be based on those pre-defined 

learning objectives. Individuals participating in the financial literacy services should 

know more after they participate than before. 

Count of individuals provided services in Measure O1 whose pre-test and post-test 

scores indicate that they know more about at least one of the financial literacy topics 

presented. 

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Must conduct a pre-test/post-test to determine amount of knowledge gained. 

Applicants selecting Measure O3 must also select Measure O10. 

Measure O10: Number of economically disadvantaged individuals placed in jobs. 

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA activity: (vii) Assisting economically disadvantaged individuals in obtaining 

access to job placement assistance. 
28

Definition of Key 

Terms 

Economically disadvantaged individuals: Individuals counted for Measure O3 

Placed in jobs: individual is hired in a new job as a result of job placement services 

provided; individual may have been previously working in a different job or previously 

unemployed. 

This is the numerator for Measure O3. 

Count of individuals receiving services in Measure O3 who are hired into a new job. 

Count each individual only once even if the individual receives placement in more than 

one job.

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Suggested method is a copy of acceptance letter from employer or copy of first pay 

stub. 

Applicants selecting Measure O5 must also select Measure O11.

Measure O11: Number of economically disadvantaged individuals, including homeless 

individuals, transitioned into safe, healthy, affordable housing. 

References/Autho

rity: 

SAA activity: (iii) Assisting economically disadvantaged individuals, including 

homeless individuals, in finding placement in and maintaining housing. 

Definition of Key 

Terms 

Homeless: People who spend the night in a place not intended for human habitation, in 

an emergency shelter, or in a transitional housing facility. See Dept. of Housing and 

Urban Development definition http://www.hud.gov/homeless/definition.cfm

Individuals: All persons in a family except unborn children. 

Affordable housing: Evidence of affordability can be demonstrated in permanence. If 

individual or family cannot afford the rent and is evicted for non-payment or has to 

move to avoid eviction, the unit is not permanent. Affordability is defined in two ways, 

either of which may be appropriate for this purpose. 1) The unit costs not more than a 

percentage of the household’s actual income (the standard rule is 30 percent, but the 

Housing Choice Voucher program provides precedent for going to 40 percent), or 2) 

the housing unit costs no more than 9 percent of the local area median income (that is, 

30 percent of an income at 30 percent of the local AMI, which on national average is 

the poverty level). 

Safe, healthy housing: The housing unit passes an inspection standard related to 

immediate health and safety (not durability). The Housing Quality Standards used for 

the Housing Choice Voucher and many other housing programs would work, but selfcertification by the grantee probably is good enough. 

Count of Individuals. Each unique person who will be occupying the unit legally 

including adults and children but not unborn children. 

How to Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Proof of residence such as lease or mortgage. 
29 - 10/25/2010

Opportunity Measures Related to Creating Greater Opportunity for AmeriCorps Members 

Applicants should only select these measures if part of their approved program design is a focus on 

helping economically disadvantaged members complete their high school education, attend college, 

and/or obtain employment.

Applicants must select at least one of the measures (O12-O14) that matches their program model 

and then the accompanying measure (O15-O17). 

 If selecting Measure O12, then applicant must also select Measure O15. 

 If selecting Measure O13, then applicant must also select Measure O16. 

 If selecting Measure O14, then applicant must also select Measure O17. 

Measure O12: 

(must also select 

O15) 

Number of economically disadvantaged AmeriCorps members who are 

unemployed prior to their term of service. 

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA activity: (vii) Assisting economically disadvantaged individuals in obtaining 

access to job placement assistance. 

This complies with the Corporation’s goal of: “Building character and creating career 

and educational opportunities through the volunteer experience.” 

Source: Corporation website: 

http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/role_impact/what_we_do.asp

Definition of Key 

Terms 

This measure is a count of individuals who are entered into the Corporation’s National 

Service Trust database, who complete their term of service, earn an education award, or

leave service due to compelling circumstances (see 45 CFR §2522.200). Individuals 

who are not enrolled in the trust, or who are dismissed, will not be counted. 

Economically disadvantaged AmeriCorps members: Current AmeriCorps members 

who are receiving or meet the income eligibility requirements to receive: TANF, Food 

Stamps (SNAP), Medicaid, SCHIP, Section 8 housing assistance. 

Unemployed: do not have paid, regular employment or were not serving in the 

military/national guard within the month prior to beginning their AmeriCorps term of 

service. 

Count of economically disadvantaged AmeriCorps members who are unemployed prior 

to their term of service according to above definition. 

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: Suggested: Self-report of AmeriCorps member at beginning of term of service. 

Program will have to wait until end of term of service to determine if the member 

should be counted here. Would only be counted if: (1) meet the count of individuals as 

define above and (2) have not been admitted for another term of service. 
30

Additional 

Notes: 

If the applicant’s goal is to help the AmeriCorps members obtain employment during 

their term of service that may result in the AmeriCorps members leaving service early, 

they should ensure that the program has approved design that includes exit for 

“compelling personal circumstances” as specified in 45 CFR §2522.230. 

The program should collect the data at the time the AmeriCorps member begins 

service. In the future CNCS may be able to collect through the portal instead. 

What were you doing most of last month? 

 Working at a regular job 

 Serving in the military / reserves 

 Working sporadically 

 Looking for work 

 Other _____________________ 

Measure O13: 

(must also select 

O16) 

Number of economically disadvantaged AmeriCorps members who have not 

obtained their high school diploma or equivalent prior to the start of their term of 

service. 

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA indicator: (iii) The number of economically disadvantaged individuals with access 

to job training and other skill enhancement. 

This complies with the Corporation’s goal of: “Building character and creating career 

and educational opportunities through the volunteer experience.” 

Source: Corporation website: 

http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/role_impact/what_we_do.asp

Definition of Key 

Terms 

This measure is a count of individuals who are entered into the Corporation’s National 

Service Trust database, who complete their term of service, earn an education award, or

leave service due to compelling circumstances (see 45 CFR §2522.200). Individuals 

who are not enrolled in the trust, or who are dismissed, will not be counted. 

Economically disadvantaged AmeriCorps members: Current AmeriCorps members 

who are receiving or meet the income eligibility requirements to receive: TANF, Food 

Stamps (SNAP), Medicaid, SCHIP, Section 8 housing assistance. 

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Program will have to wait until end of term of service to determine if the member 

should be counted here. Would only be counted if member meets the count of 

individuals as defined above. 

The program should collect the data at the time the AmeriCorps member begins 

service. In the future CNCS may be able to collect through the portal instead. 

Have you obtained your GED/diploma? 

 Yes 

 No 

 Not sure. Explain. _____________________________________ 

Other Notes: 
31 - 10/25/2010

Measure O14: 

(must also select 

O17) 

Number of AmeriCorps members who have their high school diploma or 

equivalent but have not completed a college degree prior to their term of service. 

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA indicator: (iv) Rate of college enrollment and continued college enrollment for 

recipients of a high school diploma. 

This complies with the Corporation’s goal of: “Building character and creating career 

and educational opportunities through the volunteer experience.” 

Source: Corporation website: 

http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/role_impact/what_we_do.asp

Definition of Key 

Terms 

This measure is a count of individuals who are entered into the Corporation’s National 

Service Trust database, who complete their term of service, earn an education award, or

leave service due to compelling circumstances (see 45 CFR §2522.200). Individuals 

who are not enrolled in the trust, or who are dismissed, will not be counted. 

College, as defined for this performance measure, refers to any postsecondary higher 

education institution. Therefore, it includes colleges, universities, and technical and 

vocational schools (definition of college per US Census). 

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Program will have to wait until end of term of service to determine if the member 

should be counted here. Would only be counted if member meets the count of 

individuals as defined above. 

The program should collect the data at the time the AmeriCorps member begins 

service. In the future CNCS may be able to collect through the portal instead. 

Have you obtained your GED/diploma? 

 Yes 

 No 

 Not sure. Explain. _____________________________________ 

Have you completed a college degree? 

 Yes 

 No 

 Not sure. Explain. _____________________________________ 

Applicants selecting Measure O12 must also select Measure O15. 

Measure O15: Number of economically disadvantaged AmeriCorps members that secure 

employment during their term of service or within one year after finishing 

AmeriCorps. 

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA activity: (vii) Assisting economically disadvantaged individuals in obtaining 

access to job placement assistance 

This complies with the Corporation’s goal of: “Building character and creating career 

and educational opportunities through the volunteer experience.” 

Source: Corporation website: 

http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/role_impact/what_we_do.asp
32

Definition of Key 

Terms 

This measure is a count of individuals who are entered into the Corporation’s 

education trust database, who complete their term of service, earn an education award, 

or leave service due to compelling circumstances (see 45 CFR §2522.200). Individuals 

who are not enrolled in the trust, or who are dismissed, will not be counted. 

Economically disadvantaged AmeriCorps members: Current AmeriCorps members 

who are receiving or meet the income eligibility requirements to receive: TANF, Food 

Stamps (SNAP), Medicaid, SCHIP, Section 8 housing assistance 

Securing employment refers to paid, regular employment or serving in the 

military/national guard within the past week. 

The span of time for which a member will be counted under this measure includes 

enrollment to 12 months after a member leaves service or within the subsequent cycle 

for the alumni survey. This enables the measure to include members who obtain 

employment while enrolled in the program. 

If the applicant’s goal is to help the AmeriCorps members obtain employment during 

their term of service that may result in the AmeriCorps members leaving service early, 

they should ensure that the program has approved design that includes exit for 

“compelling personal circumstances” as specified in 45 CFR §2522.230. 

Count of individuals in Measure O12 who are hired into a job within one year after 

finishing AmeriCorps. Count each individual only once even if the individual receives 

placement in more than one job. 

CNCS plans to ask through an Alumni survey in the future. For now the program 

should collect the data. 

What were you doing most of last week? 

 Working at a regular job 

 Serving in the military / reserves 

 Working sporadically 

 Looking for work 

 Other _____________________ 

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Suggested: Copy of acceptance letter from employer or copy of first pay stub. 

Applicants selecting Measure O13 must also select Measure O16. 

Measure O16 Number of members that obtain a GED/diploma while serving in AmeriCorps or 

within one year after finishing AmeriCorps. 

References/Autho

rity: 

SAA indicator: (iii) The number of economically disadvantaged individuals with access 

to job training and other skill enhancement. 

This complies with the Corporation’s goal of: “Building character and creating career 

and educational opportunities through the volunteer experience.” 

Source: Corporation website: 

http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/role_impact/what_we_do.asp
33 - 10/25/2010

Definition of Key 

Terms 

This measure is a count of individuals who are entered into the Corporation’s 

education trust database, who complete their term of service, earn an education award, 

or leave service due to compelling circumstances (see 45 CFR §2522.200). Individuals 

who are not enrolled in the trust, or who are dismissed, will not be counted. 

Economically disadvantaged AmeriCorps members: Current AmeriCorps members 

who are receiving or meet the income eligibility requirements to receive: TANF, Food 

Stamps (SNAP), Medicaid, SCHIP, Section 8 housing assistance. 

The span of time for which a member will be counted under this measure includes 

enrollment to 12 months after a member leaves service or within the subsequent cycle 

for the alumni survey. This enables the measure to include members who obtain their 

GED/diploma while enrolled in the program. 

How to Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Of the members counted in Measure O13, count of how many obtained a GED/diploma 

either during their term of service or within 12 months after the term of service ends. 

CNCS plans to ask through an Alumni survey in the future. For now the program 

should collect the data. See the resource packet for this measure for tips on how to do 

that: 

Have you obtained your GED/diploma since [enter date of enrollment]? 

 Yes 

 No 

Have you obtained your GED/diploma since leaving the [AmeriCorps] program? 

 Yes 

 No 

Applicants selecting Measure O14 must also select Measure O17.

Measure O17 Number of members that complete a college course within one year after 

finishing AmeriCorps. 

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA indicator: (iv) Rate of college enrollment and continued college enrollment for 

recipients of a high school diploma. 

This complies with the Corporation’s goal of: “Building character and creating career 

and educational opportunities through the volunteer experience.” 

Source: Corporation website: 

http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/role_impact/what_we_do.asp
34

Definition of Key 

Terms 

This measure is a count of individuals who are entered into the Corporation’s National 

Service Trust database, who complete their term of service, earn an education award, or

leave service due to compelling circumstances (see 45 CFR §2522.200). Individuals 

who are not enrolled in the trust, or who are dismissed, will not be counted. 

College, as defined for this performance measure, refers to any postsecondary higher 

education institution. Therefore, it includes colleges, universities, and technical and 

vocational schools (definition of college per US Census). 

Complete a college course: may have enrolled in course during term of service and 

completed after term of service ends or may enroll and complete after term of service 

ends; may or may not pass course but did not drop out and did not take an 

“incomplete”; course schedule would indicate that course has finished by the time 

measure has been taken 

Within one year refers to 12 months after a member leaves service, or within the 

subsequent cycle for the alumni survey. 

Of the members counted in Measure O14, count of how many complete a college 

course as defined above within 12 months after a member leaves service. 

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

CNCS plans to ask through an Alumni survey in the future. For now the program 

should collect the data. 

Have you obtained your completed a college course since leaving the [AmeriCorps] 

program? 

 Yes 

 No 

If yes, does this course contribute toward a recognized college degree or educational 

credential? 

 Yes 

 No 
35 - 10/25/2010

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP FOCUS AREA 

Grants in the Environmental Stewardship Focus Area will include programs that protect human 

health and the health of ecosystems by conserving natural resources and restoring the nation’s 

air, water, and land. Environmental Stewardship programs may include activities that encourage 

organizations and individuals to use energy efficiently and utilize cost-effective renewable 

energy technologies; minimize waste disposal; restore watersheds and aquatic ecosystems; 

improve at-risk public use lands; restore critical wildlife habitat; increase soil stabilization and 

quality; mitigate the environmental consequences of disasters; and promote environmental 

sustainability. 

Applicants must select at least one of the measures (EN1-EN6) that matches their program model. 

 Applicants selecting EN1 must also select EN7. 

 Applicants selecting EN2, EN3, EN4, EN5, or EN6 must also develop their own aligned 

measure. 

Measure EN1: 

(must also select 

EN7) 

Number of housing units of low-income households and structures weatherized or 

retrofitted to significantly improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA indicator: (i) The number of housing units of low-income households weatherized 

or retro-fitted to significantly improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. 

Definition of Key 

Terms 

Weatherization/retrofitted: See the U.S. Department of Energy. Helpful information 

can be found at the following links: 

http://www.waptac.org/ or http://www.energysavers.gov/

Weatherization –Modifying a building to reduce energy consumption and costs and 

optimize energy efficiency. Whole-house weatherization includes the installation of 

modern energy-saving heating and cooling equipment and looks at how the house 

performs as a system. 

Retrofit - An energy conservation measure applied to an existing building or the action 

of improving the thermal performance or maintenance of a building. 

Housing Unit: single family home, mobile home, apartment unit, each side of duplex 

would count as 1. 

Structures: Shelters, such as homeless shelters or emergency shelters operated by 

nonprofit or public organizations; each structure would count as 1. 

Low income: 200% of poverty or the updated level as found at: 

http://www.waptac.org/ 

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Count only those units/structures where the work was fully completed as evidenced by 

a Certificate of Occupancy; where not required, get a written statement from resident or 

owner or some other certification of completion. 

Additional 

Notes: 

U.S. Department of Energy has training programs, definitions, and tools to assist in 

these efforts. Your program is not required to exactly match the way that DOE 

provides weatherization but we encourage you to create programs that reflect “the spirit 

of” the DOE programs. 
36

Measure EN2: Number of low-income households home and public building energy audits 

conducted. 

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA Activity: (iii) Conducting energy audits for low-income households and 

recommending ways for the households to improve energy efficiency. 

Definition of Key 

Terms: 

Home: single family home, mobile home, apartment unit, each side of duplex would 

count as 1. 

Public building: buildings owned by public entities and used to serve the public; might 

include public schools, local/state/national government buildings. 

Energy Audit: See U.S. Dept. of Energy information for suggested definition 

http://www.waptac.org/

Low income: 200% of poverty or the updated level as found at: 

http://www.waptac.org/ 

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

U.S. Dept. of Energy provides some tracking tools at: 

http://www.waptac.org/Technical-Tools/Energy-Audits.aspx

May create own tracking mechanism. 

Other Notes: This may be the first step toward weatherization. It is an activity recommended by the 

DOE to determine what weatherization/energy improvement strategies would be best 

suited for each home/structure. Your program is not required to exactly match the way 

that DOE provides energy audits but we encourage you to create programs that reflect 

“the spirit of” the DOE programs. 

Measure EN3: Number of students and youth receiving education or training in energy-efficient 

and environmentally-conscious practices, including but not limited to sustainable 

energy and other natural resources, and sustainable agriculture. 

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA indicator: (iii) the number of students and youth receiving education or training in 

energy-efficient and environmentally conscious practices. 

Definition of Key 

Terms 

Students and youth: People under the age of 25 or those enrolled in educational 

institutions, including post-secondary institutions. 

Education or Training: May be one-time or an on-going series; cannot just be 

distribution of pamphlets or information available on a web-site; should have learning 

objectives; may be in person or through a web-based interface. 

Energy-efficient and environmentally conscious practices: U.S. Dept. of Energy has 

some suggested materials at http://energizedlearning.lbl.gov/

Count of each individual student/youth participating in the training. Some 

students/youth may attend multiple trainings but they should only be counted once. If 

providing the training through the classroom training, count the students/youth present 

not just those enrolled. If providing the training through a school assembly, get the 

best estimate from school officials of the number in attendance.

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Sign-in or attendance sheets from education/training sessions when possible. Tracking 

needs to enable unduplicated count when possible. 

Measure EN4: Number of acres of national parks, state parks, city parks, county parks, or other 

public lands and tribal communities that are cleaned or improved. 
37 - 10/25/2010

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA indicator: (iv) (I) The number of acres of national parks, State parks, city parks, 

county parks, or other public lands, that are cleaned or improved 

SAA activity: (vii) Renewing and rehabilitating national and State parks and forests, 

city parks, county parks and other public lands, and trails owned and maintained by the 

Federal Government or a State, including planting trees, carrying out reforestation, 

carrying out forest health restoration measures, carrying out erosion control measures, 

fire hazard reduction measures, and rehabilitation and maintenance of historic sites and 

structures through the national park system, and providing trail enhancements, 

rehabilitation, and repairs. 

Definition of Key 

Terms 

National parks, State parks, city parks, county parks: Park/recreation areas that are 

designated by national, state, city, or county governments (not trails or rivers; see #5) 

Other public lands: Other publicly owned lands 

Tribal communities: Same meaning as imparted by the definitions of “Indian Lands” 

and “Indian Tribes” provided in. SEC. 101. [42 U.S.C. 12511] Definitions 

(http://www.americorps.gov/help/ac_sn_all/ASN_Megasearch_Site.htm) 

Cleaned: Cleared of unnatural debris such as litter, hazardous waste, etc. 

Improved: Cleared of natural debris (such as fallen trees/limbs), made safer, etc. 

Count of number of acres that are either cleaned or improved. Count each acre that is 

either cleaned or improved only once during the program year. It may be necessary to 

both clean and improve the same acre, but it counts only once. It may be necessary to 

clean and acre more than once, but it should be counted only once. Only count the 

acres that are actually cleaned/improved; do not count the entire park/land area unless 

your project cleans/improves the entire area. 

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Tracking document or thank you note from entity that owns the area cleaned/improved. 

Measure EN5: Number of miles of trails or rivers (owned/maintained by national, state, county, city 

governments or tribal communities) that are cleaned, improved, and/or created. 

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA indicator: (iv)(II) The number of acres of forest preserves, or miles of trails or 

rivers, owned or maintained by the Federal Government or a State, that are cleaned or 

improved. 

Definition of Key 

Terms 

Trails: For walking, running, biking, or horses. 

Rivers: For swimming, boating, fishing, or other forms of water-based recreation. 

Cleaned: Cleared of unnatural debris such as litter, hazardous waste, etc. 

Improved: Cleared of natural debris (such as fallen trees/limbs), made safer, etc. 

Created: Implementing safety measures, making handicapped accessible, or 

environmental protection measures such as boardwalks, grading, trail-blazing, 

converting a railroad bed to a trail, etc. that make trails newly available. 

Count of miles of trails or rivers that are cleaned, improved, and/or created. Count 

each mile only once during the program year. Count the area on/in the trail/river and 

immediately next to the trail/river. It may be necessary to clean or improve the same 

mile of trail/river more than once but include in count only once. 

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Tracking documents and/or acknowledgement of receipt of services. 

Measure EN6: Number of tons of materials collected and recycled. 

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA activity: (vi) Assisting in the development of local recycling programs. 
38

Definition of Key 

Terms 

See the following link at the Environmental Protection Agency for helpful information 

on recycling: http://www.epa.gov/waste/conserve/rrr/recycle.htm

1 Ton = 2,000 pounds. 

Collected: Materials may be brought to your program or your program may collect 

them from places that would otherwise not benefit from free recycling programs. 

Recycled: Your program may deliver them to a reputable recycling site or may recycle 

the materials directly; recycling includes a variety of techniques including composting, 

re-using, and take back programs in addition to programs typically called recycling. 

Count of tons of materials collected AND recycled; both steps must be performed to 

count. Use the EPA volume translator to add up the number of pounds of materials 

collected and recycled: 

http://www.epa.gov/waste/conserve/tools/recmeas/docs/guide_b.pdf. Then perform the 

following calculation to get number of tons: # of pounds/2,000 = # of tons.

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

EPA has suggested tracking methods at: 

http://www.epa.gov/waste/conserve/tools/recmeas/index.htm

Applicants selecting Measure EN1 must also select Measure EN7. 

Measure EN7: Annual energy usage reduction for housing units and structures from 

weatherizing and retrofitting (in units). 

Rationale: SAA indicator: (ii) annual energy costs (to determine savings in those costs) at 

facilities where participants have provided service. 

Definition of Key 

Terms 

Weatherization –Modifying a building to reduce energy consumption and costs and 

optimize energy efficiency. Whole-house weatherization includes the installation of 

modern energy-saving heating and cooling equipment and looks at how the house 

performs as a system. 

Retrofit - An energy conservation measure applied to an existing building or the action 

of improving the thermal performance or maintenance of a building. 

More information about energy-saving strategies can be found at: 

http://www.energysavers.gov/

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Numerator for Measure EN1. 

Report expected MMBTUs (Million British Thermal Units) saved based on the 

calculations of the database that you select. Some energy saved will be in kilowatt 

hours; convert those to BTUs before reporting. 

(1) Convert all energy saved into BTUs (British Thermal Units) 

Information for converting from kilowatt hours to BTUs can be found at: 

http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/wcee/keep/Mod1/Whatis/energyresourcetables.htm

1 kilowatt hour = 3,413 BTUs 

(2) Convert all BTUs into MMBTUs 

1 MMBTU = 1,000,000 BTUs 
39 - 10/25/2010

Select an energy audit/weatherization software tool that calculates expected energy 

saved based on the changes that you make to the home/structure. The software tool 

should take into account things like geographic location and degree days as well as 

features of the structure. 

The U.S. Department of Energy recommends use of a software tool rather than use of 

energy bills because we cannot be sure that the changes on the energy bills are strictly a 

result of the changes made to the home/structure. The resident may have changed their 

behavior or the weather could have been different. 

While you are not required to use either of these software tools, there are two available 

for free from the U.S. Department of Energy: 

(1) The Home Energy SaverTM (HES) for homeowners and renter, and Home Energy 

Saver pro (HESpro) for building professionals, empowers users to save money and 

help the earth by reducing energy use in homes. HESpro currently has limited 

functionality, but will be changing a great deal in the coming months. HES 

recommends energy-saving upgrades that are appropriate to the home and make sense 

for the home's climate and local energy prices. HES computes a home's energy use online based on models and data developed at the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence 

Berkeley National Laboratory. All end uses (heating, cooling, water heating, major 

appliances, small appliances, and lighting) are included. HES generates a list of energysaving upgrade recommendations for the user's consideration. 

(2) Weatherization Assistant is an energy audit software tool developed for the DOE 

Weatherization Assistance Program by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The 

Weatherization Assistant contains the National Energy Audit Tool (NEAT) for sitebuilt single-family houses and the Manufactured Home Energy Audit (MHEA) for 

mobile homes. In addition, Version 8 of the Weatherization Assistant provides 

expanded optional capabilities that are useful in implementing and administering 

weatherization programs, including agency-related contact information, client data 

intake, recording of health and safety issues, recording of diagnostic measurements, 

work orders, status tracking, simplified cost accounting, inventory control, report 

generation, site mapping, and digital photo storage. 

Weatherization Assistant is free software that can be downloaded from this site: 

http://www.waptac.org/.
40

VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES FOCUS AREA 

Grants in the Veterans and Military Families Focus Area will meet the needs of veterans and 

family members of active duty and deployed military personnel. Veterans and Military Families 

programs may include activities in the areas of health, education and economic opportunity, 

including the elimination of veteran homelessness, educational programs for children in military 

families, and economic opportunities for military spouses and veterans. The Corporation is also 

interested in supporting programs that target disadvantaged, homeless, or formerly homeless 

veterans and programs that align with the efforts of the U.S Departments of Housing and Urban 

Development, Veterans Affairs, Labor, Defense, and the U.S. Interagency Council on 

Homelessness.

Applicants must select at least one measure (V1-V7) that matches their program model. Applicants 

must develop their own aligned measures. 

Measure V1: Number of veterans receiving services and assistance, including veterans with 

disabilities, veterans who are unemployed, older veterans, and veterans in rural 

communities. 

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA indicator: (vii) The number of projects designed to meet identifiable public needs 

of veterans, especially veterans with disabilities, veterans who are unemployed, older 

veterans, and veterans in rural communities. 

SAA activity: (vi) Developing projects to assist veterans with disabilities, veterans who 

are unemployed, older veterans, and veterans in rural communities, including assisting 

veterans described in this clause with transportation. 
41 - 10/25/2010

Definition of Key 

Terms 

Veteran: “a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who 

was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.” 

section 101 of title 38,23 United States Code, 

http://veterans.house.gov/documents/title38.pdf

Veterans with disabilities: “an individual who has served on active duty in the armed 

forces, has been separated therefrom under honorable conditions, and has established 

the present existence of a service-connected disability or is receiving compensation, 

disability retirement benefits, or pension because of a public statute administered by the 

Department of Veterans Affairs or a military department.” 5 USC Sec. 2108 Paragraph 

(2), http://law2.house.gov/uscodecgi/fastweb.exe?getdoc+uscview+t05t08+175+1++'5%20USC%20Sec

Veterans who are unemployed: “certified by the designated local agency as—(I) 

having been discharged or released from active duty in the Armed Forces at any time 

during the 5-year period ending on the hiring date, and (II) being in receipt of 

unemployment compensation under State or Federal law for not less than 4 weeks 

during the 1-year period ending on the hiring date.” SEC. 1221 (a) (14) (b) of H.R.1 

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, http://thomas.loc.gov/cgibin/query/F?c111:8:./temp/~c111n8Ueat:e703556: 

Older veterans: age 65 or older, 2001 National Survey of Veterans (NSV): Final 

Report, http://www1.va.gov/vetdata/docs/NSV%20Final%20Report.pdf

Veterans in rural communities: veterans who reside in communities NOT designated 

by the U.S. Census Bureau as urban (See 

http://www.census.gov/geo/www/ua/uapltab.pdf) 

Receiving services and assistance: could be a variety of different kinds of supports to 

help the veterans have a higher quality of life, but cannot simply be referrals to federal 

services; may be delivered by phone, e-mail, or in person; may be delivered 

individually or as a group. 

Unduplicated count of veterans receiving services or assistance from the AmeriCorps 

Program. Regardless of the number of times the veteran returns for services or the 

number of different services the veteran may receive from the AmeriCorps program, 

each veteran should be counted only once per contract year.

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Requires a tracking system appropriate to the service. Sign-in sheet, database tracking 

system, etc. 

Measure V2: Number of veterans engaged in service opportunities (other than mentoring 

economically disadvantaged students). 

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA indicator: (iv) The number of veterans engaged in service opportunities. 

SAA activity: (ii) Recruiting veterans, particularly returning veterans, into service 

opportunities, including opportunities that utilize their military experience. 

Definition of Key 

Terms 

Veterans: See definition under Measure V1. 

Engaged in: Not simply enrolled or signed up to participate; program should set a 

minimum level at start of year for what “engaged in” means and then count based on 

that level. 

Service opportunities: Helping others through actions other than mentoring 

economically disadvantaged students; may be other veterans, people within the military 

community or external to it 
42

Unduplicated count of veterans (who are either members or are recruited as volunteers) 

participating in service opportunities either directly sponsored by the AmeriCorps 

project or for which the AmeriCorps project acted as a direct connection between the 

veteran and the service opportunity. Regardless of how many times the veteran 

participates or in how many different service opportunities, each veteran should only be 

counted once. It is suggested that service hours be tracked as well. 

Aligned outcome may focus on benefits to the veterans, benefits to the population they 

are serving, or both.

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

If an AmeriCorps-sponsored opportunity, veteran should sign in on a tracking sheet. If 

an opportunity to serve through another organization, a letter from the organization 

indicating the veteran’s level of service or a tracking sheet from that organization.

Other Notes: 

There is another indicator specific to mentoring. 

Measure V3: Number of veterans assisted in pursuing educational opportunities. 

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA indicator: (ii) The number of veterans who pursue educational opportunities. 

SAA activity: (iii) Assisting veterans in developing their educational opportunities 

(including opportunities for professional certification, licensure, or credentials), 

coordinating activities with and assisting State and local agencies administering 

veterans education benefits, and coordinating activities with and assisting entities 

administering veterans programs with internships and fellowships that could lead to 

employment in the private and public sectors. 

Definition of Key 

Terms 

Veterans: See definition under Measure V1. 

Assisted in: Does not include educational counseling or referrals; service must result in 

enrollment of veteran in an educational program. 

Pursuing educational opportunities: Enrollment in GED, post-secondary programs, 

proprietary schools, certification programs (including on-line educational 

opportunities) as indicated in the GI Bill 

http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_info/programs.htm#IHL and at institutions approved 

by the Dept. of Veterans Affairs 

http://inquiry.vba.va.gov/weamspub/buildSearchInstitutionCriteria.do

Unduplicated count of veterans (beneficiaries of service, not members) enrolling in an 

approved educational program. It may be necessary to assist the same veteran more 

than once but each individual should be counted only once during the program year. 

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Proof of school enrollment and grantee service tracking documents. 

Measure V4: Number of veterans assisted in receiving professional certification, licensure, or 

credentials. 

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA indicator: (iii) the number of veterans receiving professional certification, 

licensure, or credentials. 
43 - 10/25/2010

Definition of Key 

Terms 

Veterans: see definition under Measure V1. 

Assisted in: Helping the veteran stay in school, earn passing grades, and achieve the 

certification, licensure, credentials, or degree. 

Receiving professional certification, licensure, credentials: licensing board, degree 

granting authority, credentialing organization, etc. certifies that the veteran has 

successfully completed their educational program. 

Unduplicated count of veterans (beneficiaries of service, not members) successfully 

completing their educational program. A single veteran may complete more than one 

educational program during the year but each individual should be counted only once 

during the program year.

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Official copy of educational attainment (transcript, diploma, etc.) and grantee service 

tracking documents. 

Measure V5: Number of veterans engaged in mentoring relationships with economically 

disadvantaged students. 

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA indicator: (vi) the number of economically disadvantaged students engaged in 

mentoring relationships with veterans. 

SAA activity: (v) Assisting veterans in developing mentoring relationships with 

economically disadvantaged students. 

Definition of Key 

Terms 

Veterans: see definition under Measure V1. 

Mentors: adults who provide support to children or youth through either community 

based programs or school based programs: 

In school based programs, mentors provide support to children for at least one 

hour/once a week over nine months. 

In community based programs, mentors provide support to children for an average of 

four hours a month over a twelve month period. 

Mentoring relationships: ideally one mentor per child, but could be small group with 

a ratio of no more than 1:3. 

Economically disadvantaged students: eligible for free (at or below 130% of poverty) 

or reduced (between 130% to 185% of poverty) lunch; may or may not actually be 

accessing free/reduced lunch. 

See: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/ChildNutrition/lunch.htm

Unduplicated count of veterans (who are either members or are recruited as volunteers) 

participating in the above defined activity that was either sponsored by this 

AmeriCorps program or directly facilitated by this AmeriCorps program. 

Aligned outcome may focus on benefits to the veterans, benefits to the population they 

are serving, or both.

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Sign-in sheet provided by AmeriCorps program. 

Measure V6: Number of housing units developed, repaired, or otherwise made available for 

veterans. 

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA indicator: (i) The number of housing units created for veterans. 
44

Definition of Key 

Terms 

Veterans: See definition under Measure V1. 

Housing unit: A single-family home (including a mobile home if permanently 

placed), an apartment, or a room in a group home for people with disabilities.

Developed: “Develop” means build new or substantially rehabilitate (the alterative to 

rehabilitation is that the unit was uninhabitable or soon would have become so). 

Involves replacing major systems such as the roof, the plumbing, the wiring, the 

foundation, or elevating the unit as required by a flood plain standard. 

Repaired: “Repair” is a more modest level of physical work on the unit, such as 

weatherizing, painting, replacing appliances. 

Can use dollar cut-off to distinguish “developed” from “repaired” (e.g., 30K/unit) or 

can distinguish by whether major systems are replaced. Dollar cut-off would require 

valuing volunteer labor, distinguishing between skilled trades and other workers. 

Otherwise made available: Activities that make available through improved access a 

housing unit that is in the housing stock and likely to remain habitable. 

Unduplicated count of Housing Units developed, repaired, or otherwise made available 

as defined here for veterans. This count indicates that the work has been completed to 

make the units available but they may or may not have been occupied. 

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Inspection report, certificate of occupancy, or other verification from an external 

agency that the work was completed. 

Measure V7: Number of military families receiving services and assistance. 

References/Auth

ority: 

SAA indicator: (v) The number of military families assisted by organizations while a 

family member is deployed and upon that family member’s return home. 

SAA activity: (i) Promoting community-based efforts to meet the unique needs of 

military families while a family member is deployed and upon that family member’s 

return. 

Definition of Key 

Terms 

Active Duty Military Member: The term ‘‘active duty’’ means—(A) full-time duty in 

the Armed Forces, other than active duty for training; (B) full-time duty (other than for 

training purposes) as a commissioned officer of the Regular or Reserve Corps of the 

Public Health Service (i) on or after July 29, 1945, or (ii) before that date under 

circumstances affording entitlement to ‘‘full military benefits’’ or (iii) at any time, for 

the purposes of chapter 13 of this title; (C) full-time duty as a commissioned officer of 

the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or its predecessor organization 

the Coast and Geodetic Survey (i) on or after July 29, 1945, or (ii) before that date (I) 

while on transfer to one of the Armed Forces, or (II) while, in time of war or national 

emergency declared by the President, assigned to duty on a project for one of the 

Armed Forces in an area determined by the Secretary of Defense to be of immediate 

military hazard, or (III) in the Philippine Islands on December 7, 1941, and 

continuously in such islands thereafter, or (iii) at any time, for the purposes of chapter 

13 of this title; (D) service as a cadet at the United States Military, Air Force, or Coast 

Guard Academy, or as a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy; and (E) 

authorized travel to or from such duty or service. 7 CH. 1—GENERAL Sec. 101, 

http://veterans.house.gov/documents/title38.pdf

Military family: Related by blood, marriage, or adoption to a current member of the 

U.S. armed forces including one who was deceased within the previous year. 
45 - 10/25/2010

Count is based on the member of the family who is an Active Duty Military Member. 

Services may be provided to the family as a group or to individual members but if they 

are all part of the same military family then the count is “1”. Services may include 

referrals to federally supported military services but cannot be exclusively 

referrals/education about those services. Services may be provided in person, on the 

phone, or by email. 

How to 

Calculate 

Measure/ Collect 

Data: 

Requires a tracking system appropriate to the service. Sign-in sheet, database tracking 

system, etc. 

October 25, 2010