NEWS RELEASE -- San Diego Unified Has State's Lowest Dropout Rate for Big Districts

NEWS RELEASE from the San Diego Unified School District, June 27, 2012

SAN DIEGO UNIFIED HAS STATE'S LOWEST DROPOUT RATE AMONG BIG DISTRICTS

Progress made in rates for Latinos, African-American students; All top
state average

SAN DIEGO ­ New dropout and graduation rates for school districts across
California show San Diego Unified School District with the lowest dropout
rate among the state's large, urban school districts.

At 5.9 percent, the rate is far below the next lowest district, San
Francisco Unified, which has 10.4 percent. The highest rate in the state
is at Oakland Unified, with a 27.7 percent.

"For parents, this means that they can be confident that their child is
receiving, in our district, as good an education as they can get anywhere
in California," said Dr. John Lee Evans, Board of Education Principal.
"Our schools are innovative. Our schools are creative. Our schools are
accountable. And our schools fit into their communities."

Overall, the district's 83.7 percent graduation rate is 8.5 points higher
than the state average.

San Diego Unified also showed gains in ethnic groups that have been a
focus of attendance-improvement efforts. For Hispanic students, a nearly
four percent increase was registered over 2009-10. The 75.8 percent topped
the statewide average of 70.4.

For African-American students, the year-over-year increase is 4.4 percent,
with the 80.3 graduation rate is 17.4 percent higher than the statewide
average.

"This means that hundreds of young adults beat the odds and became high
school graduates last year," said Superintendent Bill Kowba. "This
district, our Board of Education and every staff member have made
graduation a top priority."

The district has focused resources in recent years on improving graduation
rates. This includes sending staff and volunteers to the homes of truant
students during the first weeks of school, allowing online and other
digital options for students to make up courses, and motivational events
at schools. At-risk students are also targeted with extra counseling and
support from volunteers.

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CONTACT:
Jack Brandais | Communications Department | San Diego Unified School
District | (619) 725-5570 (Desk) | (619) 607-0477 (Cell)

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