North County schools have high graduation rates
SLO County schools have higher graduation rates together over state average
For the fifth year in a row, California’s graduation rate has climbed to a record high. According to a press release issued by the California Department of Education on Tuesday, the biggest increase has come from English learning graduates. The figures are from evaluating the same group of students from when the began high school to when they finished.
“Our record high graduation rate is great news, especially since it is occurring at the same time we are raising academic standards,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said. “This is more evidence that the dramatic changes taking place in our schools are gradually helping to improve teaching and learning in every classroom. We have raised academic standards, started online testing, given local districts more flexibility in spending, and provided more resources to students who need it most.”
In San Luis Obispo County, according to San Luis Obispo County Office of Education DJ Pittinger assistant superintendent of Student Programs & Services, 89.4 percent of the 2,9000 students in the county that started high school in 2010, graduated in 2014. That figure increased from 88.7 for 2013 graduates and 87.7 for 2012. The countywide dropout rate also dropped from 6.9 percent to 6.4 in one school year.
Pittinger said, the county graduation rates are higher than those on the state level: 80.8 percent of students graduated with their class in 2014, which was up from 80.4 from the previous year. According to the release, the state graduation rate has increased since the class of 2010 posted a 74.7 percent rate. North County schools have even higher graduation rates over the county average. For the 2012-13 school year, Paso Robles had 92.5 percent of the seniors graduate and 93.6 for 2013-14. Atascadero had 97 percent for 2012-13 and 97.4 percent for 2013-14. Templeton had 98.7 percent for 2012-13 and 98.2 for 2013-14. Pittinger noted that those three districts include alternative schools in addition to the traditional high schools. Shandon, she said, has a graduation rate of 100 percent.
“They’re small, but they’re mighty,” Pittinger said of Shandon.
Although the graduation rates of most student groups in the state rose in 2014, the graduation rate among English learners increased 2.2 percentage points from the year before to 65.3 percent. For Hispanic or Latino students, 76.4 percent graduated, which is up 0.7 percent from the year before. However, for African-American students, the rate — 68.1 percent — remained unchanged from the previous year.
Torlakson said he believes the extra resources flowing into our schools have helped schools add staff and reinvigorate many programs intended to help students graduate. In addition, he said, the collection of more precise data has put a spotlight on graduation rates, helping teachers and administrators adjust instruction for all students, but particularly for those most in danger of failing or dropping out.
However, Torlakson said there is still much work to be done.
“I challenge educators, parents, students, and community leaders to continue the hard work needed to help every student graduate and to make a special effort to raise graduation rates for English learners and Latino and African-American students,” Torlakson said.
