Central Oregon graduation rates on the upswing

Oregon’s high school graduation rate improved in 2017, largely driven by gains from Latino students, while several Central Oregon schools achieved a marked improvement in their four-year graduation figures.

Figures released by state education officials Thursday show 77 percent of students earned a diploma in four years, a two percentage point increase from the year before and almost 10 percentage points higher than the class of 2012.

Latino students boosted their graduate rate by three percentage points from a year earlier and have increased their rate by nearly 8 percent in the past three years.

Oregon regularly has one of the nation’s lowest graduation rates, and the uptick still leaves it below the most recently available national average of 84 percent.

Voters in November 2016 passed a measure requiring the Oregon Legislature to fund dropout-prevention strategies, such as fighting absenteeism and expanding career-technical course offerings.

The Education Department is getting ready to implement its plan to reduce absenteeism.

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Oregon Dept. of Education news release:

4-Year Graduation Rates Show Gains for Historically Underserved Students

Overall on-time graduation rate makes 2-point jump

(Salem, Ore.) – As Oregon’s high school 4-year cohort graduation rate continues a steady climb, the graduation rate for many historically underserved student groups is rising faster than the state average. Governor Kate Brown and the Oregon Department of Education have explicitly focused on narrowing the opportunity gap to improve graduation rates by working directly with stakeholders and school districts to develop success plans for historically underserved students.

The four-year graduation rate for students who began high school in the 2013-14 school year is 77 percent, 2 percentage points higher than last year’s rate. The statewide average four-year graduation rate has increased 4.7 points over three years.

In the same period, the rate has increased by more than 7 percentage points for Hispanic/Latino students, Black/African American students, Multiracial students, Special Education students, Ever English learners and Migrant students.

It is important to note that not all those who do not graduate in four years drop out of school. Many go on to a fifth year or earn GED credentials.

“We are encouraged by the work underway to make our schools welcoming and effective for all students, which has contributed to better performance for those who have been historically underserved,” said Acting Deputy Superintendent Colt Gill. “However, there is much more to be done to make sure all students have the tools and support necessary to reach graduation.”

The department will begin implementation this year of a comprehensive plan to address chronic absenteeism, backed by a $7.4 million investment by the 2017 Legislature. The Department of Education will also expand access to career and technical education (CTE) and other hands-on learning experiences, put best practices in place system wide, and help districts implement counseling programs and early indicator and intervention systems.

“Hands-on learning awakens students to the power of their own potential, and connects classroom with career,” said Governor Kate Brown. “That kind of engagement helps students cross the stage at graduation and equips them for next steps, whether that’s college or a job. I am dedicated to ensuring that students, communities and districts have what they need for all students to graduate with a plan for their future.”

Students in Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses have a far higher graduation rate than the state average.

· For students earning at least half a credit in a CTE class, the four-year graduation rate is 86.3 percent.

· For students earning at least 1 full credit in an approved program of study, the four-year graduation rate is 91.7 percent.

Other highlights of the new data include:

· Hispanic/Latino students have increased their graduation rate by 7.6 percentage points in three years and are graduating at a rate higher than the statewide average was three years ago.

· This year’s report is the first to give data on the four-year cohort graduation rate for homeless students statewide; that figure stands at 50.7 percent.

View the graduation rates, including by district, on the ODE website.

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Bend-La Pine Schools news release:

Bend-La Pine Schools’ Graduation Rate Highest in History
Graduation rate increased by more than 10 percentage points in last six years

Bend-La Pine Schools’ Class of 2017 student graduation rate marks an all-time high for the percentage of students graduating on-time, according to a report released by the Oregon Department of Education today.

The combined rate for district students earning a diploma on-time from Bend-La Pine Schools improved by more than 10-percentage points in the last six years alone – up from 68.2 (Class of 2011) to 78.7 percent (Class of 2017).

Deputy Superintendent Jay Mathisen says this outcome is the result of nearly a decade of continual improvement.

“Our staff’s relentless efforts to know each individual by their name, strength and need allows our teaching and learning teams to personalize student engagement in ways that ensure students are involved in their education and on track for graduation,” said Mathisen. “We are fortunate to have many of Oregon’s best educators and support staff on our team, making these successes a reality for students.”

Bend-La Pine Schools students’ graduation rate continues to outpace the state graduation average. The graduation rate tracks students beginning in ninth grade and measures how many of those students graduate within four years. The rate is adjusted for students moving in or out of the district.

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Other schools and districts in Central Oregon also made gains.

Crook County High School had among the highest graduation rates in the area, at about 90 percent. A dropout coordinator is one tool the school uses to keep kids on track.

“A person is working with our administrative team and our counseling team to help not only identify students that might be at risk of dropping out, but also to help mentor them, help encourage them to go to school and help them develop a path that will get them across the stage at graduation,” Principal Michelle Jonas said.

The Jefferson County 509-J School District saw the highest one-year graduation rate rise in Central Oregon.

Madras High School rose from a 60 percent graduation rate the previous year to 78 percent, putting them above the state average.

Principal Mark Neffendorf said he and his staff believe every student there can graduate. He said building relationships and trust with students has been the key, along with a focus on struggling students, while career and technical education has helped curb dropout rates.

“There’s a direct correlation between taking CTE classes and graduating,” Neffendorf said. “In fact, the latest (numbers show) 90 percent of our kids who took the CTE classes graduated.”

Here are the district-wide four-year graduation rates on the High Desert:

-Crook County: 72.13 percent
-Culver: 82.35 percent
-Jefferson County: 71.74 percent
-Redmond: 79.28 percent
-Sisters: 86.54 percent