3. Comparability
Effective SEA reports help users make comparisons that provide a basis and context for assessing a government’s performance. In doing so, the following attributes of the reported information need to be considered:
- Does the SEA performance information include comparisons to provide users with a frame of reference for assessing a government’s performance?
Comparable SEA performance information provides a basis and context for assessing a government’s performance. SEA performance measures, presented alone, do not provide users with a basis for assessing the level of performance achieved. To assess whether SEA performance is improving, deteriorating, or remaining the same, some form of comparison is required.
- Does the SEA performance information include comparative measures such as from earlier periods, established targets, industry standards, or other similar government?
Comparable SEA performance information includes time series comparison and comparisons with targets established by the governmental entity. Other possible types of comparisons include the use of disaggregated information for comparing different regions, schools, districts, or neighborhoods. In addition, comparisons may be made with other comparable governmental organizations and industry targets.