Improving High School Graduation Outcomes COSAOACOA Winter Conference

+ Improving High School Graduation Outcomes COSA/OACOA Winter Conference January 29, 2016 Derek Brown, Sarah Drinkwater, Dawne Huckaby Assistant Superintendents, ODE

+ Purpose of Today’s Session on Graduation from high school is the culmination of years of hard work on the part of each student, educator, family member and community. Graduation rates are one important metric to provide educators and community members a broader state picture of the health of the education system. Staff from the Oregon Department of Education will share statewide data and engage participants in conversation regarding current challenges and opportunities.

+ Framing the Conversation Oregon’s Data Includes both Regular and Modified Diplomas

500 000 450 000 400 000 89% 64% 350 000 300 000 250 000 36% 200 000 150 000 100 000 11% 50 000 0 1990 -91 1993 -94 1996 -97 1999 -00 White Students 2002 -03 2005 -06 2008 -09 Students of Color Trends in Enrollment: White Students and Students of Color 2011 -12 2014 -15

500 000 450 000 400 000 350 000 300 000 250 000 200 000 150 000 100 000 50 000 0 1990 -91 1993 -94 1996 -97 White Hispanic 1999 -00 2002 -03 Asian/PI Black Trends in Enrollment: By Ethnicity 2005 -06 2008 -09 2011 -12 Am. Indian/AK Native 2014 -15

350 000 300 000 250 000 200 000 150 000 100 000 50 000 0 2004 -05 2005 -06 2006 -07 2007 -08 2008 -09 2009 -10 2010 -11 2011 -12 2012 -13 2013 -14 2014 -15 Special Education English Language Learners Economically Disadvantaged Trends in Enrollment: By Student Group

90% 85% 80% 75% 70% 65% 60% 55% 50% 2008 -09 2009 -10 White Students Hispanic 2010 -11 Asian/PI 2011 -12 Black 2012 -13 2013 -14 Am. Indian/AK Native Trends in 4 -Year Graduation Rates: By Ethnicity

90% 85% 80% 75% 70% 65% 60% 55% 50% 2008 -09 2009 -10 2010 -11 Female 2011 -12 2012 -13 Male Trends in 4 -Year Graduation Rates: By Gender 2013 -14

90% 85% 80% 75% 70% 65% 60% 55% 50% 2008 -09 2009 -10 2010 -11 Economically Disadvantaged 2011 -12 2012 -13 2013 -14 Not Economically Disadvantaged Trends in 4 - Year Graduation Rates: By Economic Status

+ Don’t Call Them Dropouts: Understanding the Experiences of Young People Who Leave High School Before Graduation (America’s Promise Alliance 2014) n Cluster n of Factors Both disengaging from and re-engaging with school result from a variety of factors. n Yearning for Connections n Connectedness to others is a high priority for young people. The value placed on these relationships can lead young people away from or toward school. n Toxic Environments n Young people who stop going to school are likely to be navigating toxic home/school/ neighborhood environments. n Resilience Support n in Need of Young people who interrupted their HS education often returned from difficult circumstances and needed additional support.

+ Interrupted Enrollment Risk Factors Reported by Respondents 87% Homeless America’s Promise Alliance 2014 11% Foster Care 50% Changing Schools 79% Imprisoned Parent 50% Moving Homes

+ ESSA Accountability Connection to Every Student Succeeds Act Replaces AYP with a statedefined index system with federally-required components. Academic Indicators Academic achievement on state tests Student growth or other academic indicator English Language proficiency for EL students Graduation rates for high schools

+ ESSA Accountability (cont) Student engagement, or At least one School Quality or Student Success Indicator (determined by the State) Access to advanced coursework, or School climate, or other

+ Next Steps: Improving Graduation n Graduation Advisory Committee n Explore data and research n Inform Oregon’s Graduation Plan n Graduation Rate Meeting 8/31/15 n Advisory Committee 1/19/16 n 3 additional meetings this school year Deputy Superintendent’s Advisory Committee n Voices from the classroom n 1/27/16 – Initial Meeting Oregon Success Stories n Where are we beating the odds? n Graduation Brief – Office of Research/Data Analysis Grad Plan Oregon

+ n Small group discussion n 1. Reflection/Sharing In small group with colleagues around you (4 -5), reflect on and share experiences in your own districts about the graduation issue in Oregon. Use post-it notes to document your groups’ ideas. Based on the information shared and your own experiences in Oregon, what prevents young people from staying engaged and graduating from high school? n 2. What other barriers exist in Oregon?

+ Ideas for a Theory of Action Based on your small group discussion about policy and engagement barriers to graduation, develop a Theory of Action to address this issue. If the state/my district… Implemented an attendance support program/attendance policy… Then more students will graduate from high school

+ Contact Information & Resources n Derek Brown derek. brown@state. or. us n Dawne Huckaby dawne. huckaby@state. or. us n Sarah Drinkwater sarah. drinkwater@state. or. us n Don’t Call Them Dropouts: Understanding the Experiences of Young People Who Leave High School Before Graduation (Center for Promise: America’s Promise Alliance, Tufts University, 2014) n Don’t Quit on Me: What Young People Who Left School Say About the Power of Relationships (Center for Promise: America’s Promise Alliance, Tufts University, 2015) n Graduation Brief – Oregon Department of Education