Disclosed is a system and method for evaluating educational effectiveness and establishing an index for comparison. The index is called the Classroom Productivity Index and is determined from four factors multiplied together. Two of the factors come from a Curriculum Calibration of student assignments process: (1) Alignment to Standards and (2) Breadth of Coverage. The two other factors come from a School Wide Instructional Practices Summary (classroom observations) process: (3) Time on Task, and (4) Instructional Effectiveness. The Index is used to quantifiably measure the educational institution's overall effectiveness and to identify areas for improvement in the school's instructional processes that will result in improved student learning and improved student achievement on state assessments. A repeat determination of the Classroom Productivity Index at a future time can measure a school's progress, or lack of progress, in improving its educational processes. The usefulness of the Index is based on the premise that improved teaching results in improved student learning.