Arkansas Research Center
Module 3: All Domains Overview

By the end of this module you will be able to

  • Describe what the All Domains View shows and how it combines all five developmental domains
  • Identify neighborhood-level patterns by comparing census tracts side by side
  • Distinguish between observation and interpretation when exploring the dashboard

Definition

The All Domains View combines all five EDI developmental domains into one integrated dashboard view. It shows the percentage of kindergarten children in each census tract who are on track across all five domains at the same time. This is the broadest single view in the EDI dashboard because it brings together the full developmental picture into one map. You may notice patterns on this map where similar percentages repeat, cluster, or contrast across neighborhoods. The All Domains View is often the first place where these broader neighborhood patterns become visible. For example:

  • several nearby census tracts may show similar results,
  • one tract may stand out sharply from surrounding areas,
  • some regions may show concentrations of stronger or weaker outcomes.

Every census tract on this map has a percentage associated with it. That percentage represents the proportion of kindergarten children in that census tract who are on track in all five developmental domains simultaneously. Think of it like seeing how many students are earning strong marks across every subject, not just one. Remember, this is a population-level measure, not an individual child score. It helps communities understand neighborhood-level developmental patterns, not diagnose individual children.

Context & Background

The EDI uses census tracts because they create stable neighborhood-level geographic units that make meaningful comparison possible. Census tracts allow communities to:

  • compare areas consistently,
  • identify place-based trends,
  • connect developmental data with other local information.

The All Domains View also enables you to see the national comparison. It provides a broader comparison point that helps communities understand how their local results relate to national developmental patterns. This comparison offers context, but it should not be interpreted as a score to beat. Local conditions, demographics, and community context always matter when interpreting differences.

What does the percentage in each census tract represent in the All Domains View?

Correct. The percentage represents the proportion of kindergarten children in that tract who are on track in all five domains simultaneously -- a population-level measure, not an individual score.

Not quite. The percentage shows the proportion of children who are on track across all five domains at the same time. It is a population-level measure, not an individual score.

Why It Matters

Every view of the EDI data offers something different. Looking at each domain individually can reveal patterns that are only visible up close, like which specific area of development needs support. Looking across all domains together can reveal patterns that are only visible from farther away, like how domains interact and reinforce each other. It's like looking at a painting: some details only stand out when you're close, and the full picture only comes into focus when you step back. Both views matter, and neither one replaces the other.

Spark Question

Spark Question

What stands out when you compare neighborhoods side by side in the All Domains View?

One perspective

When neighborhoods are placed side by side, differences that felt abstract become concrete. You may notice that adjacent census tracts have very different percentages, or that certain areas cluster together in ways that mirror what you already know about those communities. The goal at this stage is not to explain the patterns, but to notice them. Observation comes before interpretation.

Dive into the Dashboard

When people first see this map, it is natural to try to explain it right away. The goal at this stage is not to jump to conclusions. It is to notice what stands out and begin asking better questions. Taking time to observe before interpreting helps lead to more accurate and more useful conversations.

How to Use the Two Views

This map starts off with a county-level view of EDI for the whole state of Arkansas. To learn more about your community, click on your county. This will bring you to a neighborhood level map of your county's EDI scores.

There are two main options for viewing your individual county map — the “Orientation Map” and the “All Domains Map”. Both are controlled by the “Change Map View” selector in the top left corner. The “Orientation Map” shows your county without any colors or EDI results. It helps you get familiar with the geography and locate places you recognize.

The other option is the “All Domains Map”. This view adds color and percentages to the map. Each area shows the percentage of kindergartners who are on track across all areas of development. Darker green areas represent neighborhoods where a higher percentage of children are on track across all domains. Darker red areas represent places where a lower percentage of children are on track. The purpose of this map is to move from recognizing places to noticing where results differ across the map. This first pass helps you decide where to explore more deeply next.

  • Geographic Clusters: Where do similar percentages group together?
  • Contrast Zones: Which neighboring census tracts look unexpectedly different?
  • Strong Areas: Where are children consistently on track across neighborhoods?
  • Uneven Patterns: Where does the map suggest developmental variation across place?

Role-Specific Reflections

Your entry point

Notice where results vary by neighborhood and consider how this may connect to what schools are experiencing. Use this as a starting point for conversations about alignment between schools and community supports.

Your entry point

Use this to support conversations with staff about incoming student needs.

Your entry point

Look at how children are doing across neighborhoods and consider how this connects to local resources and services. Identify areas where children may need additional support before entering school. Use this to guide partnerships, planning, and investment in early childhood supports.

Success Story

A Community Session

In one session, the group started by looking at the Orientation Map without any results visible. People pointed out places they recognized and connected the map to their own experience in the community.

When they switched to the All Domains View, details emerged. Instead of trying to explain the results immediately, the group focused on what stood out and how it connected to what they already knew about those places.

This got them talking about what domains and subdomains they wanted to look into next, moving from broad observation toward more specific and useful questions.

Check for Understanding

Match each view to its purpose.

Question 1 — What is the purpose of the Orientation View?

Correct. The Orientation View shows the geography without results so you can locate places you recognize before looking at the data.

Not quite. The Orientation View shows the geography without color or results. The All Domains View is the one that adds color and percentages.

Question 2 — What is the purpose of the All Domains View?

Correct. The All Domains View adds color and percentages to show where children are on track across all five domains.

Not quite. The All Domains View shows results using color and percentages. The Orientation View is the one that helps you get familiar with the geography.

Scenario

A colleague says: "This area is red, so the school must not be doing a good job." How would you respond?

A suggested response

This map shows us a neighborhood-level developmental pattern, not a rating of a school. A given census tract might include children from several different schools or districts. The question is not who is failing, but rather what conditions may be shaping this pattern, and what more do we need to understand.