High School Graduation Rates

Recently it was reported by the Democrat & Chronicle that the Rochester City School District has a horrid 39% Graduation Rate the lowest of any of the Big 4 in New York. The Rochester City School District quickly refuted the claim and said that the number was inaccurate. The RCSD said their number is actually 53%. The RCSD did acknowledge that the number is still too low. Read the RCSD's response here.

As an Administrator in an urban school district I see all of the various issues educators and administrators face in educating our youth. I also see the difficult task in getting students to succeed and really understand the value of graduating from high school.

Our inner city youth live in a world where they need immediate feedback and affirmation. It is very difficult for most students to see the true rewards of a high school diploma and the doors which are opened from it. Many of them are worried and concerned about how they will make it through the day or night. Many of the students come from home structures that understand the importance of completing high school but do not reflect that in thier daily practices with their children.

I am not sure that there is one single thing that can be done to improve graduation rates other then building a solid foundation early in the educational career of a student. We need to invest a large amount of time and dedication to make relevant and engaging connections with our students. If we build these relationships with the students during their 9th and 10th grade years they are more likely to see it through till the end. When students have a vested interest in the school either through a teacher or a group of peers they are more likely to succeed and see themselves reach the end.

Waiting until they are in their senior year to try to get them to graduate is too late in my eyes. By this time they have already made a concious decision to put themselves in a difficult situation.

The work ahead of urban schools is difficult and rigourous, but I strongly believe that it will take everyone in the community to make a true difference in increasing graduation rates. Schools cannot be the only entity responsible for completing this task.