Citizen-Readiness Index: Methodology
Citizen-Readiness Index
Methodology
Percentage of those not in school and not in the workforce, ages 16 to 24
The percentage of those ages 16 to 24 not in school and not in the workforce, by state (2013), was obtained from Measure of America. The minimum and maximum percentages were 7.6 percent (NE) and 19.8 percent (LA). The range was 12.2 percent (19.9 percent - 7.6 percent = 12.2). In order to assign the states a letter grade and corresponding number of points (A=1 point, B=2 points, C=3 points, D=4 points, and E=5 points), a ranking system was developed by dividing the range by five, the number of letter grades to be assigned (12.2 / 5 = 2.44). This determined the percentage of those not in school and not in the workforce each letter grade would encompass. For example, a state was assigned a letter grade of “A” and one (1) point if its percentage of those not in school and not in the workforce fell between 7.5 and 9.9 percent (7.5 + 2.4 = 9.9). Note: In the letter-grade range calculation, 2.4 was used instead of 2.44 because the percentages provided by Measure of America only extended to tenths of a percentage point, and the scale determination was intended to be kept consistent with that.
The grading scale used for the percentages of those ages 16 to 24, not in school and not in the workforce, was as follows:
- A (1 point) = 7.5 to 9.9 percent
- B (2 points) = 10.0 to 12.4 percent
- C (3 points) = 12.5 to 14.9 percent
- D (4 points) = 15.0 to 17.4 percent
- E (5 points) = 17.5 to 19.9 percent
Each state was assigned a grade and corresponding number of points based on its decimal point score (not reflected in the table, which rounds to a whole number). The following states received a grade based on the below scores, not the scores reflected in the table:
- Idaho: 14.9%
- Maine: 9.8%
- Massachusetts: 9.8%
- North Carolina: 14.7%
- Oregon: 14.8%
- Texas: 14.9%
- Wisconsin: 9.8%
Arrests per 100 people, ages 17 to 24
The total number of arrests for those ages 17 to 24, by state (2014), was obtained from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Report (UCR). In addition, the total population of those ages 17 to 24, by state (2014), was obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau. These total numbers were then used to determine the number of arrests per 100 people ages 17 to 24 in each state. These figures were approximated out to hundredths of a percentage point. Note: This does not refer to unique individuals arrested, but the total number of arrests. It is possible that one person could have accounted for multiple arrests. Due to insufficient reporting, this rate could not be calculated for the following states: Alabama, Florida, Illinois, and New York.
The minimum and maximum arrests per 100 people were 2.77 (HI) and 19.12 (WI), respectively. The range was 16.35 (19.12 arrests – 2.77 arrests = 16.35). In order to assign the states a letter grade and corresponding number of points (A=1 point, B=2 points, C=3 points, D=4 points, and E=5 points), a ranking system was developed by dividing the range by five, the number of letter grades to be assigned (16.35 / 5 = 3.27). This determined the range of arrests per 100 people that each letter grade would encompass. For example, a state was assigned a letter grade of “A” and one (1) point if its number of arrests per 100 people fell between 2.75 and 6.02 (2.75 + 3.27 = 6.02).
The grading scale used for the number of arrests per 100 people, ages 17 to 24, was as follows:
- A (1 point) = 2.75 to 6.02 arrests per 100 people
- B (2 points) = 6.03 to 9.30 arrests per 100 people
- C (3 points) = 9.31 to 12.58 arrests per 100 people
- D (4 points) = 12.59 to 15.86 arrests per 100 people
- E (5 points) = 15.87 to 19.13 arrests per 100 people
Percentage of those ineligible for military service, ages 17 to 24
The percentage of those ineligible for military service, by state (2013), was obtained from the United States Department of Defense. The main disqualifiers from military service are obesity, inadequate education, and a record of criminal activity or drug abuse. The minimum and maximum percentages of those ineligible for military service were 62 percent (HI) and 78 percent (MS), respectively. The range was 16 percent 78 percent - 62 percent = 16.
In order to assign the states a letter grade and corresponding number of points (A=1, B=2, C=3, D=4, and E=5), a ranking system was developed by dividing the range by five, the number of letter grades to be assigned (16 / 5 = 3.2). This determined the percentage of those ages 17 to 24 ineligible for military service each letter grade would encompass. For example, a state was assigned a letter grade of “A” and one (1) point if its percentage of those ineligible for military service fell between 60 and 63 percent (60 + 3 = 63). Note: In order to remain consistent with the whole number percentage for each state, 3.2 was rounded to 3.
The grading scale used for the percentages of those ages 17 to 24, ineligible for military service, was as follows:
- A (1 point) = 60 to 63 percent
- B (2 points) = 64 to 67 percent
- C (3 points) = 68 to 71 percent
- D (4 points) = 72 to 75 percent
- E (5 points) = 76 to 79 percent
Assignment of overall letter grade to each state
After the assignment of a letter grade for each of the three categories, each state was assigned an overall letter grade. To do this, the total number of points accumulated by each state was calculated. The total number of points possible ranged from 3 (if a state earned an “A” in every category) to 15 (if a state earned a “E” in every category). For example, a state earning a “C” (3 points) for “arrests,” a “D” (4 points) for “not in school and not in the workforce,” and a “D” (4 points) for “ineligible for military service” would have a total of 11 points.
The actual, total scores achieved by the states ranged from a minimum of 4 points (HI) to a maximum of 13 points (TN). The range was 9 points (13 points - 4 points = 9). States were assigned overall letter grades based on the following points system:
- A = 4 to 5 total points
- B = 6 to 7 total points
- C = 8 to 9 total points
- D = 10 to 11 total points
- E = 12 to 13 total points
Due to insufficient arrest information for Alabama, Florida, Illinois, and New York, overall letter grades could not be assigned to these states. Washington, D.C. also lacked sufficient arrest data and was excluded from the analysis.