The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is expected to give school districts their preliminary file of graduation rate data very soon and the next step is for the department to release state-level data to the media. It is imperative that all school districts ensure that their graduation rate data has been sent to PDE, and that the information sent is correct.

All school administrators are strongly urged to check with their staff to ensure that their district’s graduation rate data has been accurately recorded into the department’s Pennsylvania Information Management System (PIMS). If after reviewing this information, you believe there is an error with your data, please have your PIMS administrator contact Michele Hiester at PDE immediately via email at mhiester@state.pa.us.

Pennsylvania will soon use a 4-Year Cohort Graduation Rate for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) determination. Previously, the state used a “leaver rate” for graduation rate calculations, which calculated the aggregate number of students that did not leave high school prior to graduating. The new methodology is an entirely different calculation that determines the percent of students that complete high school within four years. In addition to the information being made public, the 2009-10 4-Year Cohort Graduation Rates will be used to determine state goals and targets for AYP purposes. While the new calculation method will not be used for AYP determinations until 2012, PDE is required to post district-level graduation rates on the department website.

In preparation for the release of this data to the media, the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) is offering a free web conference to discuss the new federal graduation rate calculations. The event web conference will take place at noon next Wednesday, Dec. 8, as Jennifer Waltz from PDE’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education explains the new federal changes to the graduation rate calculation methods, what it will mean for school districts and how they can put a positive spin on the new numbers. Superintendents, high school principals, communications/public relations officers and school board members should all participate in this opportunity. For more details or to register, visit: http://www.psba.org/workshops/web-conference/.