2012 Report to the Community

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Jeffry Hood
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1 2012 Report to the Community Graduation Rate Continues Upward Trend Priority Spokane Community Breakfast May 8, 2012

2 Our goal... is to continue to improve Spokane s graduation rate, decrease the dropout rate, and prepare all students to be college/career ready. Graduation Rates Continue to Improve Good News: The on-time graduation rate for Spokane Public Schools increased from 68.2% in to 76.7% in thanks to more specialized programs, better tracking of students, academic interventions, and social support. Three high schools saw their on-time graduation rates improve by more than 12%. Graduation & Dropout Rates Year On-Time Dropout

7% in 2010-11 thanks to more specialized programs, better tracking of students, academic interventions, and social support.

3 Improved graduation rates mean reduced dropout rates. The dropout rate for the district is now less than 16%, or about one in every six students. This is down significantly from when the rate was around 29%. On-Time Graduation Rate Dropout Rate Continuing Rate * DISTRICT Ferris Havermale Lewis & Clark North Central Rogers Shadle Park STATE * Students who have not graduated in four years but are still enrolled in high school

On-Time Graduation Rate Dropout Rate Continuing Rate * 2009-10 2010-11 2010-11 2010-11 DISTRICT 68.2 76.7 15.9 7.4 Ferris 80.1 84.4 11.3 4.3 Havermale 34.

4 Major Reasons for Improved Graduation Rate Officials now track every student who has dropped, is truant, or behind in credits, and provide a detailed list to all principals and their student support teams for follow-up. We have a single point of contact for students requesting a GED release (GED is a dropout). This process recaptured over 250 students last year. The Individual Credit Attainment Now (ICAN) program allows students who have failed a class to retrieve the credit online, during or after school. On Track Academy offers personalized learning for 11th and 12th grade students who are behind in credits. The Community School is a personalized approach that encourages high school students to learn through real-life investigations and project-based learning.

The Individual Credit Attainment Now (ICAN) program allows students who have failed a class to retrieve the credit online, during or after school.

5 New Strategies Offered this Year Achievement Gap Intervention Specialists provide individualized support to identified students at each high school to decrease the risk factors that may contribute to dropping out. They act as in-school mentors and also make family/school connections. Targeted support is offered to Special Education, English Language Development and Native students. Additional training and quarterly data reports for special education case managers, ELD teachers, and Indian Education staff help bring resources to high-need students. Gateway to College allows students who have dropped out (or are unlikely to graduate) to enroll in Spokane Falls Community College and simultaneously earn a high school diploma and college credits. Students are currently being accepted for next year. Community Partnership Steering Committee, co-chaired by United Way and SPS, brings additional community organizations, volunteers, and agencies together to help support students and their families.

Additional training and quarterly data reports for special education case managers, ELD teachers, and Indian Education staff help bring resources to high-need students.

6 Early Warning System Identifies Risk A recent study tracked more than 7,000 students in the SPS graduating classes of 2008 and 2010 and identified early warning indicators of dropping out. The study pointed to three risk indicators: A Attendance regular attendance is a MUST. The study found that less than half of students who have more than four unexcused absences at any grade level will graduate. B Behaviors only one-third of students who receive serious discipline in middle and high schools ever graduate. Numerous out-of-school suspensions will lead to dropping out. C Course Completion class failures result in low graduation rates. Students who failed one class in 7th, 8th or 9th grade have a 50/50 chance of graduating. If three classes are failed during this time period, only 1 in 4 students graduate.

The study found that less than half of students who have more than four unexcused absences at any grade level will graduate.

7 Factors Predicting Dropouts The findings showed that, of all the students who dropped out, High School 28% could have 40% been predicted at the elementary level, 18% at middle school, and 40% at high school, based on academic performance and behavior. Only 14% probably couldn't have been predicted. Unpredicted 14% 3rd-6th Grades 28% Middle School 18% Course Failures and Graduation Rates This table shows the percentage of students who graduate based on their number of course failures in 7th - 11th grade. NONE ONE TWO THREE+ 7th 81% 51% 38% 24% 8th 82% 54% 39% 27% 9th 86% 55% 43% 26% 10th 88% 67% 49% 30% 11th 91% 70% 63% 35%

Unpredicted 14% 3rd-6th Grades 28% Middle School 18% Course Failures and Graduation Rates This table shows the percentage of students who graduate based on

8 Support and Interventions at the Middle Schools LAP (Learning Assistance Program) interventions support students who are not meeting standard in math and/or reading. Based on student needs, schools target their interventions, which include after-school support and summer programs. Student Advisory Programs provide in-school advocacy and support to help students successfully navigate the middle school experience and assist with college and career readiness. A GEAR UP grant targets 7th graders at Shaw, Garry and Glover middle schools for the next six years, through high school graduation. The grant focuses on career and college-ready standards so students graduate well prepared for post-high school options. ICAN is for students who need to recover a course they previously failed. It is a web-based course designed to assess students' prior knowledge so they can complete core learning standards previously not met. Raikes Foundation provided a three-year grant targeting the transition from 6th to 7th grade for students in the 12 feeder schools to Shaw and Garry middle schools. The focus is a smooth transition, aligned with college and career readiness.

Student Advisory Programs provide in-school advocacy and support to help students successfully navigate the middle school experience and assist with college and career readiness.

9 Dropout Rate a Community Issue Spokane is a city that comes together to support all students, especially those in greatest need. Many nonprofit organizations, foundations, universities, businesses, and elected officials are participating in community collaboration for collective impact. United Way of Spokane County targets middle school as a priority for funding "Bold Goals" to improve the graduation rate. The Boys and Girls Club, Youth-Family-Adult (YFA) Connections, and Communities in Schools all received grants to provide schoollinked services. Priority Spokane is a group of community leaders who obtain resources to improve the graduation rate. Inland Northwest Community Foundation, Empire Health Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, JP Morgan Chase Foundation, and Harriet Cheney Cowles Foundation have funded three studies during the past three years. Universities: Gonzaga University, Whitworth University, Eastern Washington University, Washington State University and Community Colleges of Spokane provide students involved in service learning to mentor and tutor youth in the public schools. Greater Spokane Incorporated creates partnerships between industry sectors, businesses, and the education community to achieve goals of promoting career awareness and workforce needs for the 21st century. Nonprofit organizations partner with Spokane Public Schools to offer support to students and families. Partnership agreements with over 20 organizations provide school-linked programs and services.

United Way of Spokane County targets middle school as a priority for funding "Bold Goals" to improve the graduation rate.

10 Thank You, Community Partners! Your time, resources, and commitment are much appreciated. Good things happen when we work together on behalf of the children and youth of Spokane. Our collective efforts are having a positive impact on the graduation rate, and we look forward to continuing our work together. Spokane Public Schools Board of Directors Robert Douthitt, President Dr. Jeffrey Bierman, Vice President Deana Brower Susan Chapin Rocco Treppiedi Dr. Nancy Stowell, Superintendent

Our collective efforts are having a positive impact on the graduation rate, and we look forward to continuing our work

11 If a lettuce seed will not grow, we do not blame the lettuce. Instead, the fault lies with us for not having nourished the seed properly. - Buddist Proverb "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." - Dr. Seuss Spokane Public Schools complies with all federal and state rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, race, color, creed, national origin, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, sexual orientation including gender expression or gender identity, or honorably discharged veteran or military status and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the school district's Title IX officer and/or Section 504/ADA coordinator. Title IX Officer, Jon Swett, (509) Section 504 Coordinator, Wendy Bleecker, (509) ADA Officer, Mark Anderson, (509) Affirmative Action Officer, Ivan Bush, (509) N. Bernard Street, Spokane, WA

Seuss Spokane Public Schools complies with all federal and state rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, race, color, creed, national origin, the

12 Our commitment:

Authorizing legislation: RCW: 28A.320.203 (http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=28a.320.203)

REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE K 4 Reading Levels February 2016 Authorizing legislation: RCW: 28A.320.203 (http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=28a.320.203) Kathe Taylor Assistant Superintendent of