Story Created:
Aug 6, 2009 at 1:38 PM PST
Story Updated:
Aug 6, 2009 at 1:43 PM PST
More students enrolled in the Los Angeles Unified School District are earning diplomas and the right to wear a cap and gown during commencement ceremonies, according to information released this week by the state Department of Education. Meanwhile the percentage of students who drop out continues to decline.
The graduation rate for 2008 increased to 72.4 percent, up 5.3 percentage points from 2007, according to the most recent statistics available from the state.
“This is good news. We continue to make steady progress year after year,” LAUSD Superintendent Ramon Cortines said. “The [school] board and I are committed to accelerating that progress with a goal of a 100 percent graduation rate. To earn a diploma, our students must complete rigorous academic requirements and pass the California High School Exit Exam in English and mathematics. We are not giving away diplomas simply for good attendance. Our students work hard to earn them.”
The four-year dropout rate decreased to 26.4 percent, down 5.3 percentage points between 2007 and 2008.
“Both trends are heading in the right direction,” Cortines said.
Chief Academic Officer Judy Elliott attributed the improved numbers to a combination of several changes in both instruction and support.
“More and more secondary schools in LAUSD are converting to small schools and small learning communities of about 500 students,” she said. “This allows for a closer connection between students and teachers, and a more personalized learning experience. Breaking large schools into smaller units is one of the reasons for improved dropout numbers.”
She highlighted the new state identification system that keeps better track of students who may count as a dropout in one district while actually having graduated from another.
In addition, Elliott credits the improvement of other districtwide efforts such as aggressive prevention including identifying ninth graders who are failing classes and providing them help and support, the use of and better coordination of special counselors who work with students at risk of not completing high school, and a “fifth-year” option that allows students to stay on campus until they have met graduation requirements.
Fewer dropouts mean more graduates. That includes students who passed the state exit exam too late to participate in traditional ceremonies at their high schools as well as those who finished their requirements in summer school.
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