For two decades, the Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED) has published an annual survey that measures the standard of living and working in a state and how well the state is building foundations for future growth. This is different from most economic development studies that only look at how hospitable a state is for businesses. The latest ?Development Report Card for the States? (DRC) uses 67 measures to provide a relative, state-by-state assessment of economic development.Â

The top performers currently are Connecticut and Delaware?the only states to earn straight As. Five other states?Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Utah, and Wisconsin?joined them on the "honor roll" by earning all As and Bs. So, what does Alaska?s report card look like? Let?s just say we need to study harder and do more homework!Â

PerformanceÂ

This category assesses how well the economy is performing for its citizens. These measures capture the ?return? on public and private investment: employment, income, thedistribution of each within the population, stewardship of finite natural resources, and social conditions. They reflect past decisions and describe where the economy has been and where it is currently. Alaska Score: D

Business Vitality

Business Vitality assesses the robustness of businesses. Individual companies and entireindustries operate within the global economy and must be able to meet changing market conditions. They do so by adjusting their product lines and methods of production,and within the context of communities that supply workers, finances, infrastructure, and ideas. The speed and ease with which businesses anticipate and react to changes depends on the vision and acumen of their leaders and the agility of the labor force and other inputs. Alaska Score: F

Development Capacity

Development Capacity assesses the way current resources are used with an eye to the future. In a world where geographic proximity does not confine the flow of resources, communities must foster the conditions and inputs that firms need to profit as well as the services and amenities that people need to thrive. These include an education system that provides students with skills for 21st century jobs, physical infrastructure, and financial, natural, and technological resources. Alaska Score: D

Find the report at www.cfed.org/go/drc.