Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Corrected NEWS RELEASE -- SDUSD Dropout Rate Half of California Average

News Release from the San Diego Unified School District, May 12, 2009

SDUSD Dropout Rate Half of California Average

9.3 Percent Shows Work Still Necessary, Superintendent Says

NOTE: Corrects percentage change in San Diego Unified schools
table.

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego Unified's estimated dropout rate declined by 8.5
percentage points for the 2007-08 school year, to 9.3 percent, according
to figures released today by the state Department of Education, lower
than the 20.1 percent average statewide.

The current four-year estimated rate of 9.3 percent also bested other
large California districts such as Los Angeles (34.9 percent), Fresno
(28.0), Sacramento City (19.6), San Francisco (18.0) and Long Beach
(16.2). Among the state's largest districts, only Garden Grove had a
lower rate, at 9.1 percent, according to state figures.

"Making sure our kids graduate from high school is our mission at San
Diego Unified," said Superintendent Terry Grier. "I want to salute not
only our hard-working high school students, but our hard-working
teachers and staff who have really pulled together show solid
improvement."

The four-year rate estimates the percentage of students who begin ninth
grade and graduate by the end of 12th grade. Much of San Diego Unified's
improvement came from better data, as staff verified individual dropouts
as much as possible. In past years, students who transferred to other
districts might have been considered dropouts by the state.

In addition, programs such as graduation coaches, credit recovery,
providing more options for high school students on campus, the new
Virtual High School and San Diego Early Middle College at San Diego City
College, expanding career technical education and the small high schools
have proven successful for many students.

Grier said the higher, four-year dropouts rates for African American
(10.9 percent) and Latino students (13.3 percent) are still a problem.

"We continue to work from elementary to high school to make sure all of
our students graduate," he said. "We should not be satisfied if one
student drops out."

To review numbers for California counties, districts and individual
schools, go to the California Department of Education's website,
http://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/

# # #

Four-Year Estimated Dropout Rate
Students who entered 9th Grade but failed to graduate by 12th Grade
Source: California Department of Education

Largest California School Districts

District 2007 2008 Percent Change
San Diego 17.8 9.3 -8.5
Garden Grove 5.0 9.1 4.1
San Francisco 19.6 18.0 -1.6
Los Angeles 31.7 34.9 3.2
Long Beach 19.3 16.2 -3.1
Sacramento City 22.5 19.6 -2.9
Fresno 31.2 28.0 -3.2
California 21.1 20.1 -1.0

San Diego Unified High Schools

2007 2008 Percent Change
Clairemont 6.7 3.7 - 3.0
Crawford CHAMPS 13.3 7.1 - 6.2
Crawford IDEA 19.0 14.9 - 4.1
Crawford Law & Business 40.9 7.8 -33.1
Crawford MVAS 12.4 13.1 0.7
Henry 5.5 1.9 - 3.6
Hoover 24.0 17.2 - 6.8
Kearny CTA 3.0 1.4 - 1.6
Kearny DMD 16.8 0.7 -16.1
Kearny Intl. Business 8.0 1.7 - 6.3
Kearny SCT 12.3 2.6 - 9.7
La Jolla 2.7 1.5 - 1.2
Lincoln NOT OPEN IN 2007 n/a 14.6 n/a
Madison 11.3 4.0 - 7.3
Mira Mesa 5.8 1.3 - 4.5
Mission Bay 13.6 7.9 - 5.7
Morse 23.6 13.6 -10.0
Pt. Loma 14.9 6.4 - 8.5
SD High Business 31.9 19.9 -12.0
SD High CIMA 30.3 29.5 - 0.8
SD High Intl. Studies 14.2 3.5 -10.7
SD High LEADS 26.8 10.1 -16.7
SD High MVAS 33.5 18.1 -15.4
SD High SciTech 25.7 13.0 -12.7
Scripps Ranch 5.0 2.2 - 2.8
Serra 5.5 1.8 - 3.7
University City 2.1 1.2 - 0.9

# # #

Jack Brandais
Media Relations
San Diego Unified School District
(619) 725-5570 (desk)
(619) 607-0477 (cell)

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