High school graduation rates are expected to drop all across the state in the coming year, including in Madison County, in part because of a new way graduates will be counted.
Interim superintendent Allen McCannon presented the county school board March 8 with an overview of the federally-mandated graduation rate calculation method, called the “cohort” method, which will be implemented in Georgia for the upcoming 2011-12 school year.
McCannon said state school superintendent John Barge predicted that the state’s graduation rate could plummet 16 percent under this new method, which measures those students who stay to finish school with their class in four years of high school.
Georgia currently uses the “Leaver method,” which counts students as “graduates” regardless of whether they graduate with their class, or later.
“In the Leaver method, fifth-year graduates were counted in the next group,” McCannon said. “In the ‘cohort method’ fifth (year) seniors will never be counted.”
The cohort method also requires the use of the “Unique Identifier System,” which subtracts all students withdrawing in each year. Students found in other school systems will not count against a school as a “dropout,” and the most recent system will be the charged with the student as a graduate, or “drop out” if the student does not graduate. He said more specific documentation showing a child’s transfer to another school, or to home school status must be on file in order to avoid students being listed as drop-outs.
“The states of Indiana, North Carolina and Mississippi had respective percentage drops of 13.5, 28 and 21 percent when they changed to the cohort method,” McCannon said. “That’s discouraging.”
McCannon said state superintendent Barge said the state’s new integrated math curriculum would also likely increase the number of students who cannot obtain a high school diploma.
“In view of these facts, we fully expect the graduation rate of MCHS to decline despite the hard work of our students and staff,” McCannon concluded.
SUMMER GRADUATION
Madison County High School will observe its first-ever summer graduation ceremonies for those students not eligible for a diploma at the time of regular senior graduation, which will be held on the high school campus. The BOE approved the date of Aug. 20 for the ceremony, which will be for seniors who need to complete summer school or re-take graduation tests in order to receive their diplomas.
Beginning this year, high school seniors will not be able to participate in the regular May graduation ceremonies at the Classic Center as in years past, unless they first pass all graduation tests. Traditionally, those lacking some requirements were allowed to walk with their class and presented their actual diplomas later.
These summer graduates will not be counted in the school’s graduation rate, per the state’s change to the new cohort method for determining graduation rates.
In other matters, the BOE approved the 2011-12 school year calendar, which will begin Aug. 5. There are 176 school days for students with 10 minutes added to each daily schedule, making it the equivalent of 180 days. There are 185 days for faculty, including nine in-service (non-student) days.
Days prioritized for “snow makeup” days for next year will be February 17, February 20 and March 12.
Also, the board voted to join the Georgia Educational Cooperative Participation group in order to be able to utilize the co-op’s volume pricing power for bulk school nutrition purchases.
The BOE heard a “teachable moment” presentation from nine county history teachers who are participating in a three-year collaboration among Northeast Georgia Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA) called “Teaching American History in Georgia’s Classic Region.”
McCannon recognized the BOE for its service Tuesday night, acknowledging that March is “Board Appreciation Month.”
Assistant superintendent Bonnie Knight reported that an evaluation of the roofs of all county schools, following approval of the BOE in February, is now under way and that she expects to have an update for the board in April or May.
Knight noted that the school system is “OK” on transportation fuel costs so far this year, due to lower prices in the fall, but said there will definitely need to be a budget increase for fuel costs for next year, due to rising gas prices.
With all the kids droping out now a days I think every one that got the kids to stay in school should able to be there.