subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Sat, Nov 07 2009 

Published: June 29, 2009 10:47 pm    print this story  

SCHOOLS: Local districts surpass state average in graduation rates

By Joe Olenick
E-mail Joe

Lockport Union-Sun & Journal

If public school districts were graded on their high school graduation rates, the Barker School District would get an A.

The New York State Education Department released 2008 high school graduation rates for every public school district last week. According to those figures, all six Eastern Niagara County school districts surpassed the state average, which is now 70.9 percent, up from 69.3 percent in 2007. Locally, Barker led the way with 91 percent of students who entered school in the fall of 2004 graduating in 2008, an increase from 86 percent in 2007.

“We’re very pleased,” Superintendent Roger Klatt said. “The staff sets high expectations and gets the most out of students. And students desire to meet those expectations.”

To figure out graduation rates, the state education department looks at a class of students entering ninth grade, which is known as a “cohort.” The percentage of students from a cohort that graduates in four years is a school’s graduation rate for that year. Barker’s 91 percent graduation rate in 2008 is based on a cohort of 78 students who entered in the fall of 2004.

Klatt said education in Barker is a team effort in which students, teachers, parents, the school and community all work together to help students reach academic goals.

“In a small school, there is a personal, committed interest from the teachers,” Klatt said. “The community takes pride. They all deserve recognition, it is a total team effort that allows us to have success.”

Four other districts saw improvement in their graduation rates. Lockport City Schools had 75 percent of 447 students graduate last year, up from 71 percent in 2007. Newfane saw continued improvement, as 84 percent earned their diplomas last year, an increase over 80 percent in 2007 and 76 percent in 2006. Royalton-Hartland had 83 percent of their students graduate in 2008, as compared to 76 percent in 2007. Starpoint had a slight increase, 85 percent last year as compared to 84 percent in 2007.

Wilson saw a drop in its graduation rate, with 83 percent of students earning their diplomas in four years in 2008 down from 93 percent in 2007. But Wilson also had 111 students in the cohort that graduated in 2007 as compared to 152 in 2008. In 2006, 86 percent of the 147 students in the cohort graduated.

However, despite the statewide improvement in graduation rates, the state education department said there is still work that needs to be done. There is discussion about the impact of phasing out the local high school diploma, which will happen starting with students who enter high school in 2008, as well as possibly making changes to how a graduation rate is determined.

“There is no issue more important to the Regents than raising New York’s graduation rate for all students, particularly those who have traditionally been in the gap,” Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch said. “While there have been some modest improvements over time, we know that far too many children are failing to graduate. The Regents will work to change that. And we will work to make certain that the data reported to us by schools are accurate and reliable.”

“The policy questions and data are complex, but the human reality of the situation is straightforward,” State Education Commissioner Richard Mills said. “Everyone must graduate with a diploma that signifies college and work readiness. Ultimately, only high expectations make sense and have traction when linked to effective practices and systems that make success possible.”

Statewide, the graduation rate for students with disabilities remains low, the state said. About 41.5 percent of the 2004 cohort graduated with a local or Regents diploma after four years. However, more are remaining in school and fewer are dropping out. The graduation rate for English Language Learners also remains low, at about 35.7 percent. However, 38.8 percent were still enrolled and had not dropped out. Among all students who graduate more are earning a Regents diploma, the state said.

Contact reporter Joe Olenick at 439-9222, ext. 6241.

GRADUATION RATES

WHAT: A percentage of students who enter ninth grade together and graduate high school in four years

CLASSES: Numbers released by the state are from graduating class of 2008

BARKER: 91 percent in 2008, up from 86 percent in 2007

LOCKPORT: 75 percent in 2008, up from 71 percent in 2007

NEWFANE: 84 percent in 2008, up from 80 percent in 2007

ROYALTON-HARTLAND: 83 percent in 2008, up from 76 percent in 2007

STARPOINT: 85 percent in 2008, up from 84 percent in 2007

WILSON: 83 percent in 2008, down from 93 percent in 2007



print this story  

Photos


The senior members of the Newfane High School Choir sing “Bridge Over Trouble Waters” at Newfane High School’s graduation Saturday at the University at Buffalo. The state education department released graduation rates last week, in which Newfane saw a 4 percent increase. Every local district was above the state average of 70.9 percent. NATHAN KEEFE/CONTRIBUTOR/ (Click for larger image)


Members of the 2009 graduating class of Lockport High School make their way to their seats for commencement ceremonies Saturday at Artpark in Lewiston. The state education department released graduation rates last week, in which Lockport saw a 4 percent increase. Every local district was above the state average of 70.9 percent. NATHAN KEEFE/CONTRIBUTOR/ (Click for larger image)



autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Featured Jobs

Substitute School Nurse
SUBSTITUTE SCHOOL Nurse, Lockport City School District, Up to $20/hr. 478-4820 ...>MORE

WAIT STAFF
WaitSTAFF P/T 11am -2pm or 3:15-6:45pm. Will train. Apply Amberleigh Retirement, 2330 Maple near Transit. ...>MORE

Nurses

NURSES

RN - LPN

Join our progressive
health care team

FT-PT - Per Diem
...>MORE

Teachers
TEACHERS. Niagara County Community College is seeking applications for part-time positions for the spring 2010 semester ...>MORE

Cook Manager
COOK /Manager full time exp. req. Call for appt. 297-2500 ask for general manager. ...>MORE

Marketing & Advertising
MARKETING & ADVERTISING - Niagara County Community College is seeking a Technical Assistant to work part time in the pub...>MORE

Packers
Entry Level Packers
Apply Wed. 11/4/09 or Wed. 11/18/09, 9-11am, DOL, 81 Walnut St, Lkpt
Durham Staffing 283-
...>MORE

LPN
LPN Lewiston, overnight; Pediatric LPN, Tona, days /nights; Pediatric nurses. NF, days & nights. Diana, Allstate Home...>MORE

COLLECTORS
Exp. collectors, high hrly., low cash goals, 20% overage, 500 4 hitting, Chuck @ 597-2538...>MORE

cosmetologist teacher
Cosmetologists NYS lic., will train to teach NYS cosmetology curriculum 836-6240 or fax 836-3571...>MORE

See all ads

Feature Autos

Buick 2005 Lesabre
BUICK 2005 Lesabre Custom, excellent condition, fully loaded, $6700 or best offer, 754-4540...>MORE

Chevy 2007 Impala LT
CHEVY 2007 Impala LT
25,800 mi, ext. warranty
Exc. Cond, $16,500
297-2199
...>MORE

Mercury 1999 Grand Marquis
Mercury ‘99 Grand Marquis 4 dr, leather, all options, 49k org mi., showroom cond. $6000. 860-2854, ...>MORE

Ford 1995 Crown Victoria
Ford 1995 Crown Victoria 4 dr, loaded, new tires must see & drive $3500. red. 860-2854...>MORE

Dodge 2001 Neon
Dodge 2001 Neon 4 dr, auto, a/c, new tires, c/d no rust, inspected, $3900. white 860-2854...>MORE

Chevy 2003 Impala
CHEVY 2003 Impala
25,600 miles, loaded
Exc. Cond. $10,000/bo
297-2199
...>MORE

Mazda 1995 Millenia
Mazda 1995 Millenia loaded, leather, only 26k mi. exc. cond. $2995. Best Offer
531-3548, 297-1526
...>MORE

See all ads

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index