Dropout rates and graduation rates for the 2007-08 school year
The Oregon Department of Education released the dropout rates and graduation rates for the 2007-08 school year. In a nut shell, a higher percentage of Salem-Keizer students are graduating than in previous years. Across the board, at each of our regular high schools, the dropout rate decreased.
Here are the dropout rates by each regular high school for 2007-08:
- McKay High School: 4.4% (down from 6.8% in 06-07)
- McNary High School: 1.7% (down from 4.2% in 06-07)
- North Salem High School: 5.3% (down from 8% in 06-07)
- South Salem High School: 3.7% (down from 6.6% in 06-07)
- Sprague High School: 1% (down from 1.7% in 06-07)
- West Salem High School: 2% (down from 3.4% in 06-07)
And for the first time ever, students in alternative programs were counted as well, so we have dropout data for Early College High School and Roberts High School. Both of these schools offer alternative programs to help struggling students complete their high school education, and target students who have dropped out or are on the verge of dropping out.
For Early College High School, the dropout rate was 20.7% in 2007-08; and for Roberts High School it was 21.8% in 2007-08.
Because the alternative programs were included in the district's dropout rate calculations, the overall district total rate increased from previous year (even though all our regular high schools improved on their dropout rate) ....
Salem-Keizer (as a whole): 7.2% (up from 7% in 06-07)
Oregon Department of Education also released graduation rates for 2007-08. Overall, Salem-Keizer increased the percentage of students graduating from our high schools within four years. The percentage went from 71.9% (in 06-07) to 72.8% (in 07-08).
CLARIFICATION TO ABOVE INFORMATION:
Just wanted to clarify some information in the E-Update sent out about dropout rates. There was some confusion regarding the alternative education program dropout numbers and what they mean to the overall district dropout rate.
In previous years, students who attended alternative programs and then dropped out were counted as "dropouts" at their original school. For example, if a student attended North Salem High School, then decided to attend an alternative program at Roberts High School or Early College High School, and then dropped out... that student's dropout counted at North Salem High School. It's why dropout rates BEFORE 2007-08 were not listed for our alternative high school programs because they were included as part of our six traditional high schools.
Starting with the 2007-08 dropout rates, Early College High School (ECHS) and Roberts High School are considered their own entities so students who dropped out of those programs are counted as dropouts for ECHS or Roberts - and NOT their original home school.
What does this all mean?
The dropout rates at each traditional high school partly went down because alternative education program students are no longer being counted as part of their rate. Our enrollment in alternative program high schools has increased and more students are accessing these options for completing their education, which is great news.
