Schools graduate measure debuts

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A new way to measure graduation rates in Virginia high schools debuted last week, and showed about 81 percent of students in Amherst and Nelson counties earned a diploma in four years.

The new measure, called the On-Time Graduation Rate, has been praised by educators for its accuracy because for the first time students are tracked individually. The rate represents the actual number of students who graduated on time in 2008; previous graduation rates only provided an estimate.

The new methodology allows educators to more precisely zero in on achievement gaps between subgroups — for example, providing more exact comparisons between the rates of black and white students.

The rates among subgroups in both Amherst and Nelson were relatively close.

“We’re pleased with the figures we saw because basically they’re what we were anticipating. Our gaps were not significant,” said Julie Rogers, Amherst County assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and assessment.

Amherst had a countywide graduation rate of 81.1 percent. The only subgroup significantly lower than the district wide rate was male students who had a rate of 77.9 percent. Amherst reflected a statewide trend where male students had a slightly lower graduation rate.

Officials said there’s always room for improvement.

“Even though there were no surprises there are certainly areas where we are still concerned and will continue to work in improving our graduation rates,” Rogers said.

Nelson County officials were also satisfied with rates posting at or above statewide numbers. Nelson had a division wide rate of 81 percent and only two subgroups, males and disadvantaged students, which achieved significantly lower. Male students had a rate of 78.6 and disadvantaged students a rate of 74 percent.

“Given what we see we’re doing OK,” said Nelson County Superintendent Roger Collins.

Collins pointed out rates would be higher but the graduation data does not take into account students who earn a GED, which he said is a viable option for some students.

“Any student who wants to look at their options, we have counseling available and we have extensive alterative education programs available,” Collins said, adding the district is always pursuing early intervention for at-risk students.

“Early identification is going to be priority,” Collins said, adding the division also wants to make sure students are in school each day.

“The more students are absent from school and disengaged and disenfranchised the more difficulties they’re going to have.”

Area graduation rates

Amherst County: 81.1 percent

Appomattox County: 83.3 percent

Bedford County: 87.1 percent

Campbell County: 77 percent

Lynchburg: 72.3 percent

Nelson County: 81 percent

How is the new on-time rate different from other graduation rates?

The report, released last week by the State Department of Education, marks the first time Virginia has tracked individual students from year to year to get a precise on-time graduation rate. It gives each student a number, allowing schools to follow students as they transfer in and out of Virginia public schools.

The on-time rate also recognizes more diplomas than other rates, such as the one used for the federal accountability measure No Child Left Behind.

How is the on-time rate calculated?

OK, this sounds complicated: It 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. On-time graduates include all students earning any of the five Virginia-recognized diplomas. It does not include GEDs. The on-time rate also makes exceptions for special education and limited English-proficiency students, who may take longer than four years to graduate.

How are students categorized in the on-time data?

Data is presented statewide, division-wide and by individual schools. The subgroups are female, male, black, Hispanic, white, Asian, students with disabilities, disadvantaged students, limited English proficiency students, migrant students and homeless students.

Is the dropout rate the inverse of the graduation rate?

No. Some students are still in school taking more than four years to graduate. Others have achieved a GED or a certificate of completion not counted in the on-time rate. The state will release dropout data in early 2009.