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MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS’ FEDERAL GRADUATION RATE JUMPS FIVE PERCENTAGE POINTS TO HISTORIC HIGH, OUTPERFORMING STATE Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ (M-DCPS) graduation rate jumped nearly five points for the 2011-2012 academic year, as calculated by following U.S. Department of Education guidelines. The federally calculated graduation rate for 2010-11 was 71.3 percent; this year it rose to 76.0 percent, surpassing the state both in rate of growth and total percentage points. “Under tougher criteria and more stringent federal guidelines, our system continues to soar,” said Miami-Dade Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho. “This is one more measure of success of which our community can be rightfully proud. The continued focus and determination of our teachers and leaders toward increasing the graduation rate is deeply appreciated.” In October 2008, the U.S. Department of Education (USED) amended the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, to include new directives for graduation rates. These new regulations require each state to calculate a four-year adjusted cohort rate, which includes standard diplomas but excludes GEDs, both regular and adult, and special diplomas. USED is adopting this calculation method in an effort to streamline graduation rate calculations to acquire uniform, accurate, and comparable rates across all states. States must begin calculating the new graduation rate by 2010-11and use in the accountability system in 2011-12. When calculated retroactively MDCPS’ federal high school graduation rate has consistently increased during the past four years. The rate has improved from 62.0 in 2008-09 to 76.0 in 2011-12. The improvement in the district’s graduation rate was made possible by a detailed plan to address new high school accountability standards. Online credit recovery courses were made available to students to help ensure they could make up needed coursework. Additional periods in the school day provided students with course acceleration and credit recovery opportunities. High school counselors were given professional development in how to help students recover needed credits. Also, to provide those students with a smoother transition to high school academics, the District began focusing early attention on the importance of graduation, starting with middle school. Additionally, a comprehensive summer school program offered students opportunities to make up coursework. # # # 12-JS/553 |
