2009 Graduation Rates Released & Explained

Courtesy Ferndale Public Schools

 

The State of Michigan has released high school graduation and dropout rates for the Class of 2009.  Newspaper articles regarding this information will most likely appear in the papers over the next few days.

 

The Ferndale Schools district report summary provided by the Center for Educational Performance & Information (CEPI) is also available to the public online at http://michigan.gov/cepi/0,1607,7-113-21423_30451_51357---,00.html

See page 29 for the Ferndale Schools information, summarized below.

 

Districtwide Results include all three programs - It is important to always keep in mind that districtwide results for the Ferndale Schools will include all three of our high school programs: Ferndale High School , University High School , and Alternative Education. 

 

What are the results?

 

Districtwide - Ferndale Public Schools results

42.33% Graduation Rate (improved by 5.23% compared to 2008)

20.04% Dropout Rate (improved by 16.60% compared to 2009)

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Alternative Education 2009 Cohort Results

17.78% Graduation Rate (improved by 4.4% compared to 2008)

22.86% Dropout Rate (improved by 18.81% compared to 2008)

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Ferndale High School 2009 Cohort Results

80.78% Graduation Rate (slight decline of 2.09% compared to 2008)

  5.10% Dropout Rate (improved by 5.66% compared to 2008)

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University High School 2009 Cohort Results

99.03% Graduation Rate (improved by 6.53% compared to 2008)

  0.00% Dropout Rate (improved by 7.5% compared to 2008 when one student who entered college early is categorized as a dropout in a small class of 37 students)

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Why is the districtwide number low? The Ferndale School district operates one of the largest alternative education programs in the state, accounting for nearly half of our high school students. Nearly all of our alternative education students are behind schedule to graduate with their class when they come to us, defined as “off-track” by CEPI.  When this large number of off-track students is calculated into our district results, the total district graduation rate number is significantly lower than FHS or UHS individually. 

 

Improvements from 2008 to 2009 - All three programs have higher graduation rates and lower dropout rates than the 2008 Cohort. 

 

Our mission is dedicated to serving the broad community to help students succeed and graduate from high school.  The Ferndale Schools have served alternative and adult students since the 1940s and this commitment to serving students who may have otherwise not succeeded in completing high school is our ongoing goal.

 

Definitions:

Dropouts or MER (Missing Expected Record) are defined by the state as those students who left our district, but who did not enroll elsewhere OR for whom we are not able to locate enrollment in another district (sometimes when students move out of state or attend a private school, this occurs).

 

On-Track vs. Off-Track – Students who are “On-Track” graduated within four years of starting ninth grade.  Students who are “Off-Track, continuing” did not graduate on time, or within four years, but are still enrolled, completing their credits, and expected to graduate.

 

 

So you can see each school and its results clearly, they are listed individually below, following the districtwide summary. 

 

 

State of Michigan 2009 Cohort 4-Year Graduation and Dropout Rate Report – Final Results

 

Districtwide - Ferndale Public Schools results

   416    1st Time 9th Graders in Fall 2005

+ 612    Students enrolled in this class after Fall 2005

- 135     Students transferred to other schools before graduation

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893        Cohort (Class group size)

 

378    Graduated within four years “On-Track”

179    Dropouts – Officially Dropped or unable to locate at new school

Missing Expected Records (MER)

    336   Off-Track, continuing their education, but are expected to

                        graduate in more than four years

 

42.33% Graduation Rate (improved by 5.23% compared to 2008)

20.04% Dropout Rate (improved by 16.60% compared to 2009)

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Ferndale Adult Education Graduation & Dropout Rate Report Summary

Less than 10    1st Time 9th Graders in Fall 2005

+ 315    Students enrolled in this class after Fall 2005

-     0     Students transferred to other schools before graduation

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315      Cohort (Class group size)

 

56      Graduated within four years “On-Track”

72      Dropouts – Officially Dropped or unable to locate at new school

Missing Expected Records (MER)

    187   Off-Track, continuing their education, but are expected to

                        graduate in more than four years

 

Alternative Education 2009 Cohort Results

17.78% Graduation Rate (improved by 4.4% compared to 2008)

22.86% Dropout Rate (improved by 18.81% compared to 2008)

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Ferndale High School Graduation & Dropout Rate Report Summary

   295    1st Time 9th Graders in Fall 2005

+   55    Students enrolled in this class after Fall 2005

-    95     Students transferred to other schools before graduation

_____

255    Cohort (Class group size)

 

206 Graduated within four years “On-Track”

13 Dropouts – Officially Dropped or unable to locate at new school

Missing Expected Records (MER)

    36 Off-Track, continuing their education, but are expected to

                        graduate in more than four years

 

Ferndale High School 2009 Cohort Results

80.78% Graduation Rate (declined by 2.09% compared to 2008)

  5.10% Dropout Rate (improved by 5.66% compared to 2008)

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University High School Graduation & Dropout Rate Report Summary

   121    1st Time 9th Graders in Fall 2005

+   51    Students enrolled in this class after Fall 2005

-    69     Students transferred to other schools before graduation

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103    Cohort (Class group size)

 

102 Graduated within four years “On-Track”

<10 Dropouts – Officially Dropped or unable to locate at new school

Missing Expected Records (MER)

    <10 Off-Track, continuing their education, but are expected to

                        graduate in more than four years

 

University High School 2009 Cohort Results

99.03% Graduation Rate (improved by 6.53% compared to 2008)

0.00% Dropout Rate (improved by 7.5% compared to 2008 when one student who entered college early is categorized as a dropout in a small class of 37 students.)