MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT: Good morning – One of the most important indicators in education is graduation rate. Two years ago the state adopted the “National Governors Conference’” graduation rate formula of calculating that number. It is based on an identifiable group of students who start their freshman year together. At the end of four years, the number graduating is compared to the number who started the freshman year together which results in a graduation rate percentage. If we look at Baldwin County as a whole, the graduation rate calculated on that basis was 74% in the year that ended in 2012. That rate was 80% in 2013, a six percent increase, which is a significant improvement. Baldwin County Schools had 139 more graduates in 2013 than we would have had at the previous percentage. That means that 139 more kids have a chance for a good life. That incredible increase is a result of the outstanding work of your teachers and principals across the county; however, it does not tell the complete story. The governor’s formula does a couple of things that do not make sense in that it overlooks some indicators of greater success in our schools. First, if a student does not graduate in four years, it counts negatively against the graduation rate. In reality, the student has not dropped out, has not quit going to school, has not quit trying. They are not a failure, and are on track to graduate. It makes little sense to put them in the category of failed. Secondly, it does not acknowledge the success of students with special needs who have an individual education program that recognizes that they are not able to earn typical credits and graduate with a diploma. They are, however, able to learn, grow and meet the goals of their programs. Those who are successful are designated as “completers. We should be as proud of them as we are of the student who has the highest academic achievement. So, in the final calculation of graduation rate, students who remain in school beyond four years and those who are completers, are left out of the “success” column. Click below for the results for the past two years. You will find a graduation rate column but more importantly, you will find a “success rate” column. Thanks for all the support for our schools. Respectfully, Alan T. Lee Superintendent GRADUATION RATE LINK: bit.ly/1ncQLL5
Posted on: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 14:53:32 +0000
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