Some diplomas won't count for high schools

The graduation rate has always been one the measures of success for high schools, but this year it takes on additional importance because the rate will count toward a school's accountability grade.

Also, Florida will switch to a graduation rate formula this year that excludes GEDs (General Educational Development diplomas) both regular and adult.

Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Rebecca Fleck said, despite the changes, the district's high schools will continue to do what is best for the students.

"Graduating students has always been our goal for high schools," she said. "We would like to see a calculation that shows the total picture to the public."

That calculation would show the number of students who graduate after four years, which is the current calculation, Fleck said. But also show the number of students who have graduated after five years and through an alternative program.

Students graduating through the GED Exit Option will no longer count toward a school's graduation rate.

With the graduation rate being a factor in the school accountability grade, will high schools now try to keep struggling students on a track for a standard diploma?

Fleck said the GED Exit Option (Performance-Based Program) was established for students, who for whatever reason, fell at least two years behind their classmates.

It's a good option for a select group of students to help them graduate from high school with marketable skills, she said. That option won't be eliminated.

"It's unfortunate that those students won't be included in the graduation rate," Fleck said. "I realize it will potentially impact the accountably calculation, but we will continue to do what is in a student's best interest, which is to provide the best program for each student."

In September 2009, the Florida State Board of Education approved the state's new high school grading formula, which incorporates graduation rates in the grading of high schools.

The state education board also decided to use the National Governors Association (NGA) Compact method of calculating graduation rates, which includes standard and special diplomas, but excludes GEDs.

The Highlands district's graduation rate for the 2008-09 school year was 76.3 percent, according to Florida's calculation. Under the NGA calculation the graduation rate was 3 percentage points lower (73.3 percent).

Florida is using the Governor Association's rate to help it transition to the new federal rate when it becomes effective, which could be as soon as 2010-11.

The federal No Child Left Behind calculation excludes students who earned special diplomas and GEDs awarded to adults.

Some students with disabilities are working toward graduating with a special diploma.

Designated students will still be able to earn a special diploma, but it won't count toward the school's graduation rate.

Exceptional Student Education Director Becky Johnson said, "when parents find out and realize what's happening, I'm sure there is going to be some disappointment."

In the long run, projecting out to five years, it's hard to predict how the graduation rate will affect school grades, she said.

Citing the proposal to do away with the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test in favor of end-of-course examinations, Johnson said, "you never know what the next administration is going to do at the state level, either."

FAST FACT

GED Exit Option (Performance-Based Program) was established for students, who for whatever reason, fell at least two years behind their classmates.

It's a good option for a select group of students to help them graduate from high school with marketable skills. That option won't be eliminated.