Oregon Graduation Rates: One-Third Still Miss
SALEM, Ore. - The on-time graduation rate for Oregon high schools rose 1 percentage point in 2011 compared with the previous year, to 67 percent, officials reported Friday.
The figures show that 1 out of 3 students in last year's class dropped out - more than 11,000 people.
Gov. John Kitzhaber calls the rate unacceptable and wants the Legislature to require every school board to spell out how fast it aims to raise its graduation rate.
The Oregonian reports (http://is.gd/mPFYy5) Portland schools have one of the worst graduation rates in the state at 59 percent.
High school dropouts are more likely to be unemployed, and those with jobs typically earn far less than graduates.
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Information from: The Oregonian, http://www.oregonlive.com
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Oregon Department of Education news release:
Oregon Graduation Rate Continues to Increase
Oregon dropout rate hits all-time low
(Salem, Ore.) -State Schools Superintendent Susan Castillo announced today that student graduation rates are on the rise and Oregon is seeing an all time low in the number of students dropping out of high school. The four year graduation rate for 2011 was 67%, up from 66% in 2010. All of the state's historically underperforming subgroups saw increases in their graduation rates and in many cases their graduation rates grew faster than for the state overall, indicating a slight closing of the graduation gap.
"While these results are encouraging and show that our state is succeeding at graduating more of our students within four years, there are simply far too many kids not reaching this critical milestone," said Superintendent of Public Instruction Susan Castillo. "I am very pleased to see the continued gains in minority and low-income graduation rates, but despite these gains we still have close to half of our Native American, African American, and Hispanic students who aren't graduating on time. These results are a clear reminder of the work left to be done to ensure that all of our students graduate from high school ready for college and career."
This graduation rate looks at a cohort, or group, of students who entered high school in the 2007-08 school year and tracks how many graduated with a regular high school diploma within four years. Students who receive a modified diploma, GED, adult high school diploma, or alternative certificate are not counted as graduates in this model. The cohort graduation rate is calculated by taking the number of students in the group who graduated with a regular diploma within four years and dividing that by the total number of students who entered high school in 2007-08, adjusted for students who move into or out of the system.
Since some students need more than four years to complete graduation requirements, the Oregon Department of Education also calculates a five-year graduation rate. The five-year graduation rate for students who entered high school in 2006-07 was 70.5%..
Cohort Graduation Rates At-A-Glance:
Student Group 4 year rate
(2007-08 cohort) 5 year rate
(2006-07 cohort)
All Students 67.2% 70.5%
White 69.9% 73.3%
Asian/Pacific Islander 76.5% 78.9%
Black 51.9% 55.2%
Hispanic 57.4% 61.6%
Native American 51.2% 54.4%
Multi-Ethnic 72.9% 68.8%
Students with Disabilities 41.9% 46.5%
English Language Learner 51.6% 57.3%
Economically Disadvantaged 61.2% 65.4%
Females 71.9% 74.4%
Males 62.8% 66.8%
Dropout rates
In 2010-11, Oregon's dropout rate hit an historic low of 3.3% percent, down from 3.4% in 2009-10. As required by federal law, Oregon uses a one-year dropout calculation for accountability purposes, so the dropout rate is not the inverse of the graduation rate. And since not all non-graduates are dropouts, the dropout rate and graduation rate are not directly comparable.
2010-11 Dropout Rates by Student Group:
Student Groups 2010-11 2009-10
All Students 3.3% 3.4%
White 2.8% 2.9%
Asian 1.4% 1.4%
Black 5.6% 6.2%
Hispanic 4.7% 4.7%
Native American 5.9% 6.7%
Multi-Ethnic 3.2% 2.7%
Students with Disabilities 4.3% 4.6%
English Language Learner 5.1% 5.9%
Economically Disadvantaged 2.7% 2.8%
Females 2.8% 2.9%
Males 3.7% 3.8%
"While looking at graduation and dropout rates is important, we need to remember that simply graduating from high school is not good enough anymore," said Superintendent Castillo. "We need to ensure that our students have the skills to succeed once they leave our schools whether they go to college, join the military or go directly into workforce training.
"Over the past several years we have raised the bar and asked more of our students with increased credit requirements and higher standards. This year we will have our first class of graduates required to demonstrate their proficiency in reading in order to earn their diploma. These requirements will help make sure that our students leave our schools with the knowledge and skills they need to compete, contribute, and thrive."
For school district cohort graduation data, go to: www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=2644
For dropout data, go to: www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?=1
To access an FAQ on the graduation and dropout rates, go to: http://www.ode.state.or.us/wma/superintendent/release/cohort-faq.pdf
For information on graduation requirements and the Essential Skills, go to: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/results/?id=368
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Bend-La Pine Schools news release:
Student Focus on Achievement Making Graduation a Reality
2010-11 BLS dropout rate 2.0% - Statewide average 3.3%
Bend-La Pine Schools continues to exceed state averages in efforts to keep students in school and make it to graduation, according to information released by the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) today. The report highlights district and statewide graduation and dropout data from the 2010-11 school year.
The ODE report shows that the five Bend-La Pine Schools high schools' average dropout rate of 2.0% in 2010-11 is lower than the statewide dropout average of 3.3%. The state dropout rate hit an historic low last year of 3.3% percent, down from 3.4% in 2009-10.
Additionally, the report shows Bend, La Pine, Mountain View, and Summit high schools had a combined dropout rate of just 0.67% during the 2010-11 school year.
Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Ron Wilkinson says that staff, students, parents and the community as a whole are all to thank for the continued efforts to keep students in school and on-track for graduation.
"Thanks to our community's commitment to education and our focus on student achievement, more and more students are staying in school and earning their high school diploma - even as we continue to raise the bar and increase graduation requirements," he says.
The state also released 4-year cohort graduation data today. Using the Cohort Graduation Rate formula, Oregon's four-year graduation rate for 2010-11 was 67% while Bend-La Pine Schools was 68%. Under the calculation, students are only considered 'graduates' if they graduate within four years of the start of high school with a standard diploma. Students who receive a modified diploma, GED, adult high school diploma, or alternative certificate are not counted as graduates in this model.
ODE also calculates a five-year graduation rate. The five-year graduation rate for all Oregon students who entered high school in 2006-07 was 71% while Bend-La Pine Schools was 76%
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Redmond School District news release:
RSD shows increase in graduation rates
Redmond High School graduation rate at 93%
Redmond, Ore. - The Oregon Department of Education released its annual report on high school graduation rates, and the Redmond School District received some positive news. Statistics released today show a continued decrease the dropout rate at Redmond High School. This year's rate of 1.34% is down from last year's rate of 1.9%.
"A great deal of work has been done over the past several years to ensure every child has every chance every day in the Redmond School District," said RSD Superintendent Shay Mikalson. "The decrease in our dropout rate is the result of a concerted effort by students, staff, and parents."
The report released today also references cohort graduation rates. Mikalson noted each year there is some confusion regarding Redmond High School's graduation rate due to the four-year and five-year cohort calculation method and the school's Advanced Diploma program.
The Advanced Diploma program is designed to allow students to participate in an accelerated college credit program by earning college credits during four, or in some cases five, years of high school enrollment. The program was created to increase the number of students pursuing post-secondary studies and to increase the success of students enrolled in post-secondary studies. Prior to the creation of the Advanced Diploma, a small percentage of graduates pursued post-secondary studies, and of those who did, many struggled.
"Unfortunately, the four-year cohort graduation report makes it appear that our district has an unacceptably low graduation rate when in actuality many of the students considered by this report as non-graduates are students currently enrolled in college-level classes," said Mikalson.
Using this five-year cohort report, Redmond High School (71.26%) and Redmond School District (67.47%) are on par with schools and districts throughout the state.
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