California dropout data

[George Sheridan <learn@jps.net>]

The next-to-last paragraph reveals that the state's new data will enable an
accurate count of the number of 12th graders who fail to graduate because of the
CAHSEE.

At last, accurate dropout data are within reach
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New tracking system will let schools and public know what happens to all students
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Published Monday, July 14, 2008
Story appeared in The Sacramento Bee METRO section, Page B4
http://www.sacbee.com/110/story/1080314.html

Beginning Tuesday, Californians for the first time will have accurate numbers on
high school dropouts. Californians also will have accurate information on what
has happened with each student, which will help schools and communities better
understand why students drop out.

That should end the long debate on what the state's "real" dropout rate is,
freeing everybody ? researchers, teachers, principals, communities, school
boards, legislators, elected statewide officials and parents ? to focus on
solutions.

This first part of the state's new data system can track what actually happens to
individual students. In the past, we've known how many students graduate from
high school each year. But we haven't really known what happens when students
leave school without graduating. Did they transfer to another school? Did they go
to a community college? Or did they really drop out?

In our highly mobile society, kids and their families move a lot, and schools
ought to be able to track them. Now they can do that.

Here's an example. For students entering ninth grade in 2003 in the Sacramento
City Unified School District, 1,830 actually graduated from high school in 2007.
The district listed 449 dropouts.

But that's not all. The district also listed 1,756 students as leaving Sac City,
but enrolling in another public school elsewhere in California. Did these 1,756
students transfer successfully? Did they really show up and enroll in another
school? Nobody knows. But in the future we will, and students who never actually
transfer will be counted as dropouts.

There will be much hand-wringing, because this more-accurate data certainly will
show higher numbers of dropouts than in the past. Last year's reported four-year
dropout rate of 13 percent statewide surely will turn out to be wildly low.

But the good news is that the new individualized information should create an
incentive for school districts to try to find these students. If districts don't
work harder to find "lost transfers," making sure students actually enroll in
another school when they move from one district to another, they'll have higher
dropout rates on their record than in the past.

Have no doubt, this new data will change behavior. In the future, school
districts will have to have a carefully crafted, well-coordinated process in
place to take note when students come and go.

The new data will help in other ways, too. For example, among the 449 dropouts
listed in Sac City were 35 students who finished 12th grade but did not graduate.
These are students who have all their course credits but haven't passed the
state's required exit exam and aren't still enrolled in school. Districts armed
with this information can find these individuals and enroll them in a program
that works for them so they can get a high school diploma, and get on with their
lives.

The new data will reveal some good news, too. Some students listed as dropping
out and disappearing will now turn up as enrolled in another school. But the best
news is that the individualized data will provide new incentives for districts to
ensure that someone is actually paying attention to what happens to every child.

George Sheridan