Central Oregon’s high school graduation rates outperform the state in 2023

(Update: adding video, comments from C.O. school districts; Oregon's rate lower than other nearby states)

Students who take career, tech ed (CTE) classes have 95% rate

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The statewide graduation rate for the class of 2023 is 81.3 percent, tying the previous class as the second-highest graduation rate ever recorded in Oregon, according to data released Thursday by the Oregon Department of Education (ODE). Bit it's still lower than several other states in the West.

While the overall rate held steady, some student groups reached all-time highs for graduation, including former English Learners (87.6%) and Migrant students (81.6%). 

“These 37,700 graduates overcame historic challenges to earn their diploma. During their journey to graduation, the class of 2023 endured the full, multi-year impact of COVID and its aftermath,” said Dr. Charlene Williams, Oregon Department of Education director.

“Each diploma represents an inspiring step forward for a student, their loved ones, and their community. With impressive grit and resourcefulness they worked their way through the jarring and isolating impacts of the pandemic to earn their education. We need to maintain high expectations and provide high levels of support that will lead to academic excellence for all of our students.

"Each and every child from birth through 5th grade must be set up for success in learning to read and reading to learn and be provided opportunities to find their path to graduation success and their dream career,” Williams added.

Although the new figures show Oregon's overall graduation rate holding steady, it's still lower than other parts of the country. The state of California saw an increase to 88% increase, while Washington topped Oregon by two percentage points, at 83.6%. Idaho's graduation rate is about the same as Oregon's, at 81%. 

Governor Tina Kotek said, “I am never satisfied when it comes to our kids. We will continue working hard to improve results in the coming school years."

“Still, it’s important that we are seeing some positive results in key areas where the state has been targeting resources, such as career and technical education and supporting English Language Learners. This targeted approach to success is working for our students, so let’s do more of that, and I hope lawmakers support summer learning investment in the 2024 session,” Kotek said.

Student Group	Class of 2022	Class of 2023	Percentage Point Change
All Students	81.3	81.3	0.0
Asian	92.1	92.1	0.0
Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander	74.6	75.9	+1.3
American Indian/ Alaska Native	68.9	68.2	-0.7
Black/ African American	73.7	73.1	-0.6
Hispanic/ Latino	78.7	78.6	-0.1
White	82.5	82.6	+0.1
Multi-Racial	79.7	79.8	+0.1
Female	84.2	83.6	-0.6
Male	78.8	79.4	+0.6
Non-Binary	72.0	71.8	-0.2
Economically Disadvantaged	80.7	80.7	0.0
Not Economically Disadvantaged	83.4	83.6	+0.2
English Learners Anytime in High School	65.3	68.1	+2.8
Former English Learners	86.4	87.6	+1.2
Never English Learners	81.7	81.5	-0.2
Special Education	67.5	68.6	+1.1
Not Special Education	83.7	83.5	-0.2
Talented and Gifted	95.5	96.3	+0.8
Not Talented and Gifted	80.0	79.8	-0.2
Migrant	81.4	81.6	+0.2
Homeless	58.6	60.6	+2.0
In Foster Care	48.4	46.9	-1.5
Military Connected	--	86.7	--
Career and Tech. Ed Participants	89.0	88.8	-0.2
Career and Tech. Ed Concentrators	93.0	95.0	+2.0
Students Recently Arrived	--	63.3	--
Students with Experience in Incarceration or Detention	--	35.8	--

Other key findings include:

• Students completing two credits in an approved Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program of Study significantly exceeded the statewide average, graduating at a rate of 95.0 percent.
• Former English Learners - students who have successfully completed English Learner programs prior to entering high school in Oregon - graduated at 87.6 percent, 6 percentage points higher than the statewide average and an all-time high for that student group.
• Special Education students also saw the highest graduation rate for that student group at 68.6 percent.
• The graduation rate for students experiencing houselessness increased 2 percentage points to 60.6 percent which is also a record high for that student group.
• For the first time, graduation rates are reported for military connected students (86.7%), students with experience in incarceration or detention (35.8%) and students recently arrived (63.3%).

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In Central Oregon, schools finished above the state average, ranging from 83 to 97 percent.

Some smaller schools, such as Realms in Bend, reported higher rates than that.

Realms High School Principal Roger White said Friday, "2022 and 2023-23 were 92.5% percent -- very similar, which is awesome. We're excited about those graduation rates."

Schools in the region say engaging classes and programs such as CTE courses play a significant role. They help students see a clearer pathway to internships and jobs after graduation.

Redmond School District Director of Secondary Programs David Burke said, "Our career and technical education courses are really engaging kids in their classrooms with our staff, building strong relationships."

Crook County schools fared very well, compared to other districts, though Crook County High School slipped a bit in 2022-23:

Crook County Schools Communications Director echoed Burke's views about what succeeds, pointing to "programs that really are more intriguing to them and get them to show up and participate in class. And so that attendance piece is a really big part of it as well."

The aftermath of the COVID pandemic resulted in many attendance challenges, taking a toll on grades and standardized test scores.

Jefferson County Schools Superintendent Jay Mathisen said, "Some students did disengage from school during the pandemic, of course. And and some came back right away when the schoolhouse doors opened. "Some it took months and months and months and lots of communication with families and with students."

Schools have been stepping it up to improve those attendance rates.

Carr said, "Chronic absences, for example. Those are all things that, you know, are being tracked on a lot more now. So that way, our administrators and our teachers can can really follow up with those students in those families and make sure that, what is it that's preventing them from coming to school?"

News release from Bend-La Pine Schools:

Graduation Rate Rises Sharply for La Pine High School

2023 graduation rate for Bend-La Pine Schools is 83.6 percent

La Pine High School’s graduation rate improved nearly 11 percentage points last year, with an especially high rate among students taking Career Technical Education classes.

The school’s 2023 graduation rate was 70 percent, an increase of 10.9 percentage points from 2022, according to data released Thursday by the Oregon Department of Education.

Nearly all La Pine students receiving multiple credits in a CTE program area graduated in 2023 – gains of roughly 20 percentage points over the prior year.

“I’m very happy and proud of our staff that we have double-digit gains,” La Pine High Principal Scott Olszewski said. “We have great teachers in La Pine, and we offer a lot for a small high school, from our Career Technical Education offerings to fantastic music and theater programs and world language.”

Olszewski credited the relevancy and high engagement that CTE programs offer for helping boost the school’s graduation rate in 2023. Program areas include natural resource science, manufacturing technology and metals, criminal justice and law, and business management.

This year the school added an Education Foundations class, in alignment with Central Oregon Community College, for students to explore the field of education and lesson planning. This spring students will apply their knowledge to a 60-hour practicum, partnering with educators at Rosland and La Pine elementary schools and La Pine Middle School.

Continuity in staffing, including administrators, counselors, and the school-to-career coordinator, is another factor in student success, Olszewski said. The small 2023 class of 82 graduates also benefited from strong relationships with teachers and support staff who are invested in the La Pine community, he added.

“With our classified staff, most if not all live in La Pine, from custodial and nutrition services to our library and front office staff. I think that’s huge,” he said.

Bend-La Pine Schools graduated 1,260 students last year for an overall graduation rate of 83.6 percent – a slight increase from 2022 and the second-highest completion rate in the past 12 years. The statewide graduation rate was 81.3 percent for 2023.

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.

Bend-La Pine Schools’ 4-year Cohort Graduation Rate Over Time:

·         2022-23: 83.6 percent

·         2021-22: 83.5 percent

·         2020-21: 82.4 percent

·         2019-20: 85.9 percent

·         2018-19: 80.6 percent

·         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

School-Specific 4-year Cohort Graduation Rate for 2022-23:

·         Bend Senior High: 86.9 percent

·         Bend Tech Academy (formerly BTA at Marshall High School): 69.2 percent

·         La Pine High: 70 percent

·         Mountain View High: 86.3 percent

·         Realms High: 92.3 percent

·         Summit High: 95.2 percent

Caldera High School’s first senior class will graduate this June.

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News release from Redmond School District:

Redmond School District Reports Strong 87% Graduation Rate

Redmond, Ore. - The Oregon Department of Education released statewide graduation rate data this morning, which showed Redmond School District well above the state average with an overall district average of 87 percent graduation success. 

Dr. Charan Cline, Superintendent of the Redmond School District, attributed these successful graduation rates to the collective efforts of teachers spanning from kindergarten to high school. Cline expressed gratitude to every teacher, staff member, family, and community contributor who played a role in enriching the educational journey of graduates.

Dave Burke, Director of Secondary Programs, emphasized the district's consistent graduation rate as a testament to the effectiveness of tailored academic programs designed to promote success for all students.

Notably, the district's graduation rate maintained its historic high this year in Redmond.

While acknowledging room for growth, Cline expressed pride in the ongoing efforts in Redmond. 

The district has set specific goals aligned with the vision statement of "Ready Graduates" for the current year. Early measures in a child's academic journey, such as 3rd-grade reading benchmarks, middle school attendance and GPA, and the number of credits earned by the end of 9th grade, are considered reliable indicators of future graduation success. These metrics are actively monitored and shared among school building teams, with regular updates provided in school board meetings.

Parents interested in learning more about how to collaborate and support their students in achieving these critical milestones are encouraged to reach out directly to their child's school.

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News release from Redmond Proficiency Academy:

Redmond Proficiency Academy Exceeds Local, State, and National Graduation Rates

Surpasses 92 Percent for Fifth Consecutive Year

REDMOND, Ore. – According to Class of 2023 graduation rates released today by the Oregon Department of Education, Redmond Proficiency Academy (RPA) has achieved a graduation rate of 97 percent, outpacing district, county, state and national averages, and marking RPA’s fifth straight year of exceeding a graduation rate of 92 percent.

“We’re pleased once again to have graduated nearly every student who walks through our doors,” said RPA Executive Director Jon Bullock. “Our consistently high graduation rates are reflective of our proficiency-based personalized educational program that works well for our students. Our graduates should be very proud of their success at RPA, as well as our staff for their vital roles in helping launch students into the next phase of their lives.” 

RPA’s five-year graduation rate is 99.4 percent, again exceeding district, county, state and national averages. 

One of the foundations of RPA’s mission is to do everything possible to prepare its students for their futures. RPA features a College Prep program that utilizes a university model scheduling system in which students choose their classes and class times and learn to navigate RPA’s college-like campus to get to class on time without a bell schedule – just like college. Many students take advanced courses and learn to be effective university students by learning in seminar environments – emulating a college campus experience.

This flexible scheduling model works well for students and families seeking a choice in their educational experience, one that allows them to focus on additional interests outside of school, including downhill and cross-country ski racing, equestrian events, rodeo circuits, and many other activities. This unique model also allows students of all academic levels and interests to accelerate or decelerate their learning in the manner that works best for the students and their post high school goals.

Director of Academic Success Jenn Berry-O’Shea points to the continuum of services RPA provides students and families as reasons for the school’s achievements.   

“From middle to high school, RPA takes a system-wide approach to students' success. We organize our school community to support students over their cumulative seven-year experience to support academic progress, career and college transitions and well-being in preparation for life after graduation,” Berry-O’Shea explained. “The conversations start in middle school when faculty and staff encourage students to explore their interests and talents, and ways they can apply them to future careers.”

The tuition-free public charter school offers courses in award-winning theater, robotics, and arts programs, in addition to computer science, Spanish language immersion and many others.    

Director of Curriculum and Instruction Amy Kappel attributes the success of RPA students to several factors:

• Implementation of an intensive student support program including graduation coaches;
• Development of academic support programs for students to move them toward 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;
• Aligned curriculum in grades 6-12 with a focus on Pre-AP and AP programs for grades 6-12.

“We have continued to expand our student support programs and take a personalized approach to academics to ensure the success of every student who joins us at RPA,” Kappel said.

Interested students and families can learn more about RPA during Open Enrollment which begins on February 15 and runs through March 1. During this two-week period, students and families are invited to schedule a tour or participate in “Experience RPA!” on Tuesday, February 27 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. During the Experience RPA!, attendees will be able to see students engaged in performances, demonstrations and other activities that showcase RPA’s offerings at both the middle school and high school campuses. RPA staff will also be on hand to answer any questions about academics, extracurriculars, admissions and more. The event serves as an opportunity for students and families to learn more about RPA before applying or enrolling.

About Redmond Proficiency Academy
Redmond Proficiency Academy (RPA) is a tuition-free public charter school located in Redmond, Oregon. RPA serves approximately 900 students from grades 6th-12th throughout Central Oregon. With an innovative and personalized proficiency-based collegiate model, RPA provides dynamic pathways to success for all students.

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Statement from Jefferson County School District 509J:

"We are thrilled that Jefferson County School District 509J achieved its second-highest four-year graduation rate ever, with each student group surpassing the state average for the class of 2022-2023. We cannot thank our dedicated teachers and staff enough for reaching this accomplishment. Their unwavering commitment to our students' success plays a crucial role in these results. As we celebrate this achievement, we remain committed to continuous improvement, looking forward to getting better every day." - Superintendent Jay Mathisen