Marietta High School

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High School Graduation Program

• Marietta High School
• Jodi Scoggins
• Graduation Coach
• 2006-2007

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• For you to take away from todays presentation
• What are the mission and expectations of the
  graduation coach?
• How is the graduation rate calculated in the
  state of Georgia?
• What are the steps for implementing a plan?
• What successes has the Graduation Coach program
  brought to MHS?

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Expectations of High School Graduation Coaches

• Successfully analyze data to
• identify at-risk students (focus on grades 8-12)
• quantify the number of at-risk students by
  category
• identify trends, patterns and groupings
• identify opportunities to provide individual and
  group services
• develop Peach State Pathways for at-risk students
• recommend programs to the principal and
  Graduation Team(s)
• overall, increase the graduation rate at MHS

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• HOW IS THE GRADUATION RATE CALCULATED IN THE
  STATE OF GEORGIA?

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COHORT RATE Percent of students from an
entering 9th grade cohort who graduate with a
standard diploma within four years. Method can
account for transfers and students retained in
grade. Student data may be tracked on a statewide
or local basis. (10 states)

• Under the National Center for Educational
  Statistics formula
• of students receiving full, regular program
  diploma in Spring, 2005.
• -------------------------------------------------
  --------------------------------------------------
  ----------
• of students receiving full, regular program
  diploma in Spring, 2005
• PLUS
• of students receiving special education
  diploma in Spring, 2005.
• PLUS
• of students receiving certificates of
  attendance in Spring, 2005.
• PLUS
• of drop-outs in grade 12 in 2004-2005
• PLUS
• of drop-outs in grade 11 in 2003-2004
• PLUS
• of drop-outs in grade 10 in 2002-2003
• PLUS
• of drop-outs in grade 9 in 2001-2002

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Reasons students are considered drop outs . . .

• Marriage
• Expelled
• Financial Hardship/Job
• Incarcerated/Under Jurisdiction of Juvenile or
  Criminal Justice Authority
• Low Grades/School Failure
• Military
• Adult Education/Postsecondary
• Pregnant/Parent
• Removed for Lack of Attendance
• Serious Illness/Accident
• Unknown

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4-Step Process For Developing And Implementing A
High School Graduation Program
Step 4. Making a Difference
Step 3. Where To Focus

• Develop a Graduation Work Plan Against the
  Established Priorities

• Analyze Data
• Look for Common Areas of Need
• Establish Priorities With Principal and
  Graduation Team(s)

Step 2. Whos At Risk
Step 1. Getting Smart

• Identify Potential At-risk Students by Name

• Understand School Population and Currently
  Available Resources

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Who is At-Risk?Common variables found in the
research that identify possible dropouts

• Poor attendance
• Low grade point average
• Low standardized test scores
• Number of times a student has failed a grade
• Number of discipline referrals
• Educational level of parent
• Special program placement

• Number of school moves (transfers)
• Low reading and math skills
• Language spoken at home
• Interest in school
• Participation in extracurricular activities
• Pregnancy/Teen parent
• Family status (single parent family, family size)

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Step 4. Making a Difference

• Whole School
• 9th Grade Classroom Guidance
• Career Classroom Guidance
• Test Taking Strategies
• Newsletters through Advisement
• Career Day with Guest Speakers
• 9th grade Surveys

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2006-2007 Successes

• 20 seniors graduated on-time in May with Credit
  Recovery Program previously behind .5 or more
  credits
• 5 seniors on caseload graduated on time with PLC
  full-time beginning second semester.
• 15 seniors passed GHSGT Science test in Spring
  2007 after Senior Science Lunch Review.
• Overall, helped 35 students graduate on time and
  possibly 11 more this summer.

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Graduation Rate 2006 vs. 2007
. . . an INCREASE of 5.1!