Bedford, Appomattox surpass statewide graduation rates

By Annie McCallum

Published: October 8, 2008

Click here to search On-Time Graduation Rate statistics by locality and school

A new way to measure graduation rates at high schools in Virginia debuted Wednesday, and showed that 81 percent of students statewide earn a diploma in four years.

In the Lynchburg area, most schools came in at or above the statewide figure, although the new measure does show some achievement gaps between high schools and among subgroups of students.

The formula, called the On-Time Graduation Rate, has been hailed for its greater accuracy because for the first time students are tracked individually.

The new methodology also zeroes in more precisely on achievement gaps between subgroups — for example, providing more exact comparisons between the graduation rates of black and white students.

Many area officials said while the rates are not high enough, they do represent an important step toward increasing achievement. The new data allows educators to drill down and see where problems are and who needs extra help.

Here’s a division-by-division look at results.

- Lynchburg City Schools: Both Heritage and E.C. Glass high schools had virtually the same rate of about 72 percent, but E.C. Glass had significant achievement gaps.

For example, 54.4 percent of black students at E.C. Glass and 58.4 percent of disadvantaged students graduated, compared with 86.7 percent of white students. Heritage had almost no gap between subgroups.

Steve Smith, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, said the division is not pleased with the results and will continue to look at the issues of individual students.

“Our challenge is to remove those barriers and provide time, support and encouragement,” he said, later adding, “We look at this more specific data as an opportunity to improve the services … for our students still in school.”

Lynchburg officials also said the division has implemented programs to develop relationships with at-risk students and work with students in ninth-grade, which is where many drop out.

“We commit to the ideal of graduation for all students and will never be satisfied with less,” Smith said.

- Bedford County Schools: Had the highest graduation rate among local divisions, 87.1 percent. One of the highest schoolwide rates, 93.3 percent, was at Jefferson Forest High School.

“I was very pleased with the numbers. They are very strong, but of course we want them to be higher,” said Bobbi Johnson, assistant superintendent.

Staunton River High School’s rate was lower than the division’s, with 81.1 percent of students graduating. Johnson cited a larger number of GEDs earned at Staunton River, which are not included in the rate.

“I think going the GED route is a valid option for some of our students. Those numbers are larger at Staunton River … There’s a stronger GED program out there,” she said.

- Campbell County Schools: Reported most high schools were in line with statewide rates, but Rustburg’s rate was 64.8 percent.

“At Rustburg we have more students earning GEDs or certificates of completion than we do in our other schools,” said Linda Gray, director of secondary education. “An important point to make about this is there are two ways we keep students in school, continuing to educate them and provide them with skills so when they exit schools they are prepared.” Rustburg, similar to other area schools, had an achievement gap between genders with 58.5 percent of males graduating. At Brookville High School, 90.5 percent of females graduated and only 76.5 percent of males did.

- Appomattox County Schools: Reported a division rate of 83.3 percent, but showed an achievement gap between black students and their peers. About 73 percent of black students graduated on time.

“We’ve known that was going to be our lowest area,” said Annette Bennett, director of curriculum and instruction. “We have work to do.”

Bennett said the division is focused on transition programs at the middle- and high-school level to target at-risk ninth-graders. A program for over-aged eighth-graders aimed at getting them into high school by second semester is also in place.

- Amherst County Schools: Had a rate of 81.1 percent. Julie Rogers, assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and assessment, said division officials anticipated the results and nothing came as a surprise.The percentage of male students graduating on time, about 78 percent, was the only subgroup considerably lower than the division rate.

- Nelson County Schools: Reported a rate of 81 percent with little variation among subgroups. The percentage of male students graduating, 78.6 percent, was the only significant variation among subgroups.