Lynchburg City School Board discusses new stats for grads

By Annie McCallum

Published: October 2, 2008

Lynchburg City School Board discussed new graduation statistics expected to be unveiled next week by the state, during its annual retreat Thursday.

The Virginia On-Time Graduation Rate, which is not yet linked to accountability, is being hailed for its greater precision and accuracy. Numbers for area schools will likely be released by the state education department Wednesday.

Unlike previous rates, it is not based on estimates, but rather concrete data that tracks students individually.

“It’s actual kids being followed over time,” said Steve Smith, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction.

Smith briefed the board on the intricacies of graduation math during the first day of the two-day retreat at Lynchburg College.The dizzying formula used to calculate the new rate takes the number of on-time graduates and divides it by the number of first time ninth-graders plus the

number of incoming transfers minus the number of outgoing transfers. It also recognizes all five Virginia diplomas and makes exceptions for special education and limited English proficiency students, who may take longer than four years to graduate.

The currently used graduation rate, known as the No Child Left Behind Leaver Rate, takes the number of standard, advanced studies and international baccalaureate diplomas and four years of dropout data to estimate a rate. Smith said the leaver rate has received criticism because it’s an estimate and does not recognize all

diplomas.

While the on-time rate does recognize all Virginia diplomas and is a more accurate picture of graduation, it does not account for GEDs.

“A GED is not our first choice, we know that, but it’s better than not earning a credential,” Smith said.

As a result, he said, the state has proposed a graduation and completion index. The index would assign different point values for students based on different types of completion. For example, graduating from high school in four years or less could earn 100 points and earning a GED could earn 75 points.

The state education department’s proposed changes to the accreditation process, which are currently being discussed, suggest linking the index to accreditation.

Currently, graduation rates are not tied to accreditation, but they are linked to the federal accountability measure, Adequate Yearly Progress, under the No Child Left Behind Act. Schools and school divisions must meet a certain graduation rate to make AYP. Smith said the leaver rate will continue to be used until the federal government gives permission to use the on-time rate.

After Smith’s presentation, board members agreed the new rate is an important step. When the information is released it will be desegregated into subgroups, allowing officials to see if any achievement gaps exist.

Geared toward greater accountability, information will be divided by division and by individual school.

“Its about keeping kids in school,” Smith said, “getting kids to walk across the stage.”