High School Graduation and

Statistical Disconnects

Dr. Paul G. Perrault

Education Affinity Group Meeting

Tampa, Florida

June 5, 2018

Section 01

What is the purpose of high school?

High School?

• What is the purpose of

high school?

• What does a high

school diploma signify?

Section 02

Committee of Tenvs

Cardinal Principles of Secondary Education

Committee of Ten

Blue-chip panel comprised of the leading educators in the United States (e.g., Charles Eliot – Harvard and James Angell – Michigan)

Issued a report in 1893 proposing all public-high school students receive a strong, liberal-arts education.

As Eliot, author of the final report, put it, “every subject which is taught at all in a secondary school should be taught in the same way and to the same extent to every pupil so long as he pursues it, no matter what the probable destination of the pupil may be, or at what point his education is to cease.…”

Cardinal Principles of Secondary Education1918 report from the Commission on the Reorganization of Secondary Education -- focused on restructuring high school education.

Guided by new IQ tests, tracking was made to appear as a preferable option.

Proponents of comprehensive high schools argued that these curriculum options would encourage increasing numbers of students to stay in school and graduate, already a standard by which to judge high-school effectiveness.

New objectives by the Commission focused on: • Health.• Command of fundamental processes.• Worthy home membership.• Vocation.• Citizenship.• Worthy use of leisure.• Ethical character.

Section 03

What Data Tells us About Student Readiness

4th Grade Reading Proficiency

8th Grade Reading Proficiency

High School Graduation Rates

High School Graduation Rates

Section 04

What Do We Know About Graduation Requirements

Key Differences Across States

In 16 states, the state does not offer a diploma that requires students to complete CCR requirements in ELA and mathematics (Minimum diploma). (Three fewer states than in 2014.)

In 27 states, students have multiple diploma options, but in all of these states, at least one option falls short of CCR expectations in ELA and mathematics (CCR default with minimum or personal modification opt out, or CCR opt in).

In seven states and the District of Columbia, the state sets the expectation that all students will earn a diploma that includes CCR requirements in ELA and mathematics (CCR mandatory). In these states, the graduation rate is the same as the percentage of students who graduate having earned the CCR diploma option.

Only 12 states who offer multiple diplomas currently publicly report the percentage of students earning the CCR-level diploma.

Section 05

Graduation Requirements in Florida

Florida

According to Florida law, students must meet certain academic requirements to earn a standard high school diploma from a public school. This means that students must pass required courses, earn a minimum number of credits, earn a minimum grade point average and pass the required statewide assessments. Students who meet these requirements but do not pass the required assessments will receive a certificate of completion, which is not equivalent to a standard high school diploma. Passing scores for the statewide assessments are determined by the State Board of Education.

Florida Standards Assessments

Florida Standards Assessments

Section 06

College Knowing and Going

College Knowing and Going

• ACT College Entrance Examination testing for ALL juniors in

18 College Knowing and Going districts (40% of Arizona

juniors)

• ACT prep support and follow-up

• Support for completion of the FAFSA

• Support for increasing the percentage of college

applications

• Support for effectively using Arizona’s Education and Career

Action Plan (ECAP)

• Additional support in training for counselors, connections to

community resources and partners, and access to data

Postsecondary TrendsBy College Readiness

Cumulative Dropout RatesBy Race/Ethnicity and College Readiness

Key Disconnects to Consider

The purpose of high school can still be a little murky.

High school diplomas (especially when compared nationally) are not equivalent.

Often times assessments have “passing scores” that are well below proficiency.

Teachers and schools are under pressure to pass students to increase graduation rates.

Credit recovery has become a new tool to increase graduation rates.

Questions