Graduation rates rise in C. Oregon, across state

Graduation rate data released Thursday by the Oregon Department of Education show a continued, steady climb of Oregon’s overall four-year cohort graduation rate, officials said. Every Central Oregon school district saw gains, many by impressive amounts.

The state’s overall graduation rate for the 2017-18 school year was 78.7 percent, an increase of 2.0 percentage points compared to the previous year and 6.7 percentage points over four years. Every student group saw increases, and, for many historically underserved student groups, graduation rates increased more than the statewide average.

In Central Oregon, Bend-La Pine’s four-year graduation rate rose from 78.74 percent in 2016-17 to 81.86 last school year, the data show, while in Crook County, it jumped from 72.13 to 78.10 percent, Culver rose from 82.35 percent to 95.12 percent, Jefferson County from 71.74 percent to 77.48 percent, Redmond from 79.28 percent to 82.86 percent and Sisters from 86.54 percent to 89.29 percent.

“It’s important to remember that we are talking about students, not statistics,” Oregon Department of Education Director Colt Gill said. “In this case, a two-point increase in graduation means an additional 950 students getting their diplomas within four years of starting high school. Under the leadership of Governor Kate Brown, we have enacted equity-focused supports that have helped students of color, students navigating poverty, and tribal students graduate at a higher rate than before.”

To further improve graduation rates, Gov. Kate Brown is proposing a $2 billion investment in education that dedicates $794 million to reduce class sizes in early grades and lengthen the school year, $133 million to fully fund the High School Success (Measure 98) program, $7.7 million for Native American student programs and a $6 million increase for the African American/Black Student Success program.

“How our state provides for the needs of our children is a marker of who we are as a community. Every student in Oregon deserves an education that sets them up for success and helps them graduate from high school with a plan for their future,” Brown said. “These graduation rates show our work to close opportunity gaps with targeted investments is making a difference in the lives of students. To build on this progress, I am dedicated to re-investing in our schools to bring them back to a level we can be proud of.”

Highlights of the state’s graduation rate data include:

Student Group

4-Year Graduation Rate For 2017-2018 Class

Increase From Previous Year

All Students

78.7

2.0

Asian

90.6

1.7

Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander

75.4

6.0

American Indian/ Alaska Native

65.3

6.2

Black/African American

68.0

0.4

Hispanic/Latino

74.6

2.1

Former English Learners

82.5

(New Group)

Homeless Students

54.1

3.4

CTE Participants

88.1

1.8

CTE Concentrators

92.8

1.1

· The asset of bilingualism is highlighted by the fact that students who exited English Learner programs before high school graduate at a rate nearly four percentage points higher than the statewide average. It shows that the hard work our educators do in welcoming and helping students with non-English speaking backgrounds pays off greatly for our state.

· The Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander graduation rate is higher now than the statewide average was just two years ago.

· The Hispanic/Latino graduation rate exceeds what the statewide average was three years ago.

· Students taking CTE courses continue to graduate at a rate far higher than the statewide average.
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News release from Bend-La Pine Schools:

Graduation Rate Soars to All-Time High

Grad rate marks an increase of nearly 14 percentage points over last seven years

Bend-La Pine Schools celebrates its highest graduation rate on record – 81.9 percent – marking an increase of nearly 14 percentage points over the last seven years, according to a report released by the Oregon Department of Education today.

All high schools in Bend-La Pine Schools recorded an increase in graduation rate and the district outpaced the average graduation rate from the state by more than 3 percentage points. The graduation rate for students of underserved races/ethnicities in Bend-La Pine Schools climbed nearly 8 percentage points to 67.8 percent, including a more than 10-point jump for Hispanic students. Additionally, Bend-La Pine Schools saw graduation rate increase among many student groups including: black students, economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities and English language learners in high school, among others.

School highlights:

Bend Senior High School recorded a graduation rate of 91 percent, up about 2 percentage points, surpassing the highest graduation rate on record for the school. La Pine High School’s graduation rate increased nearly 8 percentage points over last year to 77.1 percent. Marshall High School’s graduation rate increased more than 11 percentage points to the highest grad rate on record for the school (44.6 percent). Mountain View High School’s graduation rate jumped more than 4 percentage points (to 87.1 percent) and the grad rate among students of underserved races and ethnicities jumped more than 13 percentage points to 80 percent. Summit High School’s graduation rate increased to 91.6 percent.

“Today I want to recognize our many dedicated staff members and their commitment to building positive relationships with students because it is those connections that make all the difference,” said Superintendent Shay Mikalson. “Their commitment to knowing every student by name, strength and need has helped us reach this milestone accomplishment. While we are celebrating today, we also will not be satisfied until all of our students graduate ready for the future that they choose.”

Mikalson points to a number of efforts begun in recent years to bolster graduation rates, including, among others, the hiring of graduation coaches to serve in high schools; increased use of student data to ensure students who are getting off track receive interventions and staff support; and additional options at the high school level – from enhanced career and technical courses to robust arts and music offerings – designed to keep all students engaged.

“This increase in graduation rate did not happen by chance. We have put systems and people in place to try to keep all students on a track to graduation,” said Mikalson. “I am proud today to see these efforts paying off in increased graduate rates across the board.”

About the Numbers: 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.

2017-18: 81.9 percent

2016-17: 78.7 percent

2015-16: 77.5 percent

2014-15: 77.2 percent

2013-14: 77.2 percent

2012-13: 78.6 percent

2011-12: 72.2 percent

2010-11: 68.2 percent

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News release from the Redmond School District:

Redmond School District graduation rates steadily improving

REDMOND, Oregon — Redmond School District graduation rates are up over three percentage points from last year — outpacing the graduation rate of students statewide and increasing 12 percentage points over the past five years, according to a report released by the Oregon Department of Education today.

Redmond School District’s graduation rate for the Class of 2018 Cohort was 82.86 percent, up from 79.28 percent last year and four percentage points higher than the overall state average graduation rate of 78.7 percent.

“I’m elated our graduation rates are improving and our investment in student success is paying off,” Superintendent Mike McIntosh said. “Our district is moving in the right direction, and this level of improvement encourages us to continue to provide the opportunities that ensure all Redmond students are graduating prepared for college and career.”

According to Director of Secondary Education Tracie Renwick, several noteworthy strategic efforts have directly contributed to the district’s success:

High School Success Fund (Measure 98 Funding) supports Career Technical Education programming, and provides high school success coordinators in each high school. These new positions oversee the district’s priorities in support of regular attendance, on-track credit attainment and purposeful elective paths for students.

The AVID College Readiness System is implemented in each middle and high school. AVID includes school-wide resources that support future-readiness for all students. This involves rigorous coursework, connection to industry partners and school cultures that promote skills and habits for success in post-graduation programs.

The district’s Camp 9 transition program supports students’ readiness to enter 9th grade. Camp 9 provides academic readiness and mentoring for students who may not have a natural connection to their new high school.

Mathematics support courses are offered concurrently with students’ regular high school math classes. Remaining on track in the math sequence required for graduation is a key to credit attainment and graduation.

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News release from Redmond Proficiency Academy:

Redmond Proficiency Academy Graduation Rate Rises to All-Time High

RPA shows improvement for fifth consecutive year

Redmond, OR – The Redmond Proficiency Academy is proud to announce that its high school graduation rate for the Class of 2018 cohort was 91.33%, an 8.24% increase over the previous year and 12.57% higher than the Oregon state average of 78.76%. RPA’s graduation rate also exceeds the most recent national average of 84.1%.

“This graduation rate represents a tremendous accomplishment for our students and is the result of diligent work by our staff to ensure every student is provided with the education they need to successfully move forward,” said RPA Executive Director Jon Bullock. “I am proud of the work our students put forth to become high school graduates, and I am proud of the work our staff put forth to ensure student success.”

RPA’s graduation rate of 91.33% is based on the 2017-18 four-year cohort, which is comprised of students who began high school in the 2014-15 school year and who graduated during the 2017-18 school year. Within the class of 2018, results among historically disadvantaged groups were notable. RPA achieved a 100% graduation rate among Hispanic/Latino students and a 88.24% graduation rate among Students with Disabilities.

Several factors played a role in the success of RPA students, including:

The implementation of an intensive senior support program of graduation coaches

The development of academic support programs for seniors to move them towards graduation

A focus on college pathways and career readiness programs to increase student engagement

A data-focused system to identify students who need intervention and who may be at risk of falling behind

Measure 98 funds supported additional graduation coaches and built a career and technical education program to increase student engagement in their education and to reach graduation. Along with graduation coaches, each grade level implemented a comprehensive achievement team made up of advisors, administrators, and counselors that met biweekly to discuss the needs of students and work keep them on track towards graduation.

“A graduation rate of over 90% is an incredible accomplishment,” said humanities instructor Ryan McLaughlin. “This graduation rate is the result of a lot of focused work done by the whole team of graduation coaches, counselors, administrators and teachers. It’s the kind of effort that changes the lives of an entire community of students.”

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Oregon Education Association news release:

Graduation rates improve, more funding needed to make more progress

Today the 2017-18 Oregon graduation rates were released, showing improvement of two percentage points over the prior year – from 76.7% to 78.7%.

“This continued trend of progress is good news for the students of Oregon,” says John Larson, high school English teacher from Hermiston and President of the Oregon Education Association. “Educators across the state continue to work incredibly hard every day to support students’ success.”

“However encouraging these increases may be, there is a long way to go. Decades of disinvestment in Oregon school funding at the state level mean that educators continue to do more with less to see these results. Oregon’s class sizes are far above the national average, schools lack appropriate numbers of counselors and school nurses, and the vast majority of educators continue to spend their own money on school supplies because districts are unable to provide the materials necessary for students to succeed. We know that students of color and those that have been historically disadvantaged are particularly affected by lacking resources.

Students need and deserve fully funded schools. With more resources, school districts could lower class size and hire additional teachers, specialists, and support staff. When schools have enough money to give students what they need, we will see even higher levels of success among all Oregon students.”