dropout

The 2006-2007 graduation rates will be calculated by tracking individual students who first enrolled in ninth grade in fall 2003, and graduated four years later with a regular diploma. Continuing students who were not reported as diploma recipients were recorded for accountability purposes as “off-track.”

Michigan could try to curb dropout rate by raising legal age to leave school to 17 or 18
Posted by Beth Loechler | The Grand Rapids Press May 08, 2008 10:32AM
How do you get more kids to graduate from high school?
That is the focus of hearings to be conducted throughout the state during the next several months, starting with one today in Grand Rapids.
A sound policy to stem the crisis has eluded legislators and school officials for decades, but the problem is clear:
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Michigan education officials will be scouring the state over the next few months to find new plans for reducing dropout rates in the state.
The Michigan Education Association is sponsoring 10 hearings between May and October to find suggestions on keeping children in school until they graduate.
"Too many students are leaving school before graduating," said MEA President Iris Salters. "We need to work together to understand the scope of the problem and to find sustainable solutions."

Up to 28 percent of Macomb County students are flunking Algebra 1, according to a random survey conducted by the Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD). And from what the chair of the House Education Committee, Rep. Tim MELTON (D-Auburn Hills), is hearing from across the state, this may be a trend that could impact dropout rates."It should scare everyone," Melton said. "There is a serious crisis brewing."Melton said if the numbers are not reversed, many students will "not be on a track to graduate now."MISD is sharing its findings with lawmakers.

This week's national report showing Detroit had the lowest graduation rate among major cities does raise some concerns about the performance of Michigan's largest city and other urban school districts, but it is also subject to the argument that it is not, currently, valid to compare dropout and graduation rates state to state.

Michigan’s Dropout Prevention Leadership Summit Initiative
MNA Offices ~ Lansing, MI 48911
February 22, 2008