Education across the U.S. has been reformed dramatically over the last two decades. State departments of education are working diligently to increase reading and mathematics proficiency, in addition to preventing school dropouts.
Just a few years ago, Mississippi changed the way it holds educators accountable. While the letter grade system is basically the same, factors that make a school district an “A” or a “B” school did change greatly.
Many students were dropping out of school if they could not pass the state tests, so the Mississippi Department of Education added the graduation component into the scoring of a school district. Other factors, such as how students perform on the ACT, are also utilized for scoring purposes.
Dr. David Luke, Superintendent of LMSD, shared how the state counts dropouts in this accountability model as well as how it grades schools that promote graduating. One of the interesting things he shared is how the state has expanded the way by which a student can meet the standards of earning a diploma.
Some of these qualifiers include dual credit classes or CTE classes to satisfy the requirements to obtain a diploma – and that’s only two ways a student can still earn a diploma and complete high school.
Luke noted that the key to preventing school dropouts begins early in a student’s educational career – something he applauds the district for actively working to do. “The process of MTSS (a tiered response program targeting both academic and behavioral issues) begins at the lowest level – the elementary school years.” Luke and Assistant Superintendent Belinda Swart lauded each of the administrators at all LMSD schools as individuals who are consistently looking to help students before they can fall way behind.
When asked about the LMSD dropout rate, Luke shared the current numbers as well as the state average. LMSD currently has a graduation rate of 91.3 while the state average is 89.4. Luke and Swart both credited the intervention programs at all school levels – elementary, middle and high school – as the reason why the district ranks over the state average.
Luke noted that, for example, if a school has 100 students, when one drops out anytime between freshman and senior year, then that’s the same as losing a percentage point. However, in the smaller schools – those the size of Noxapater or Nanih Waiya – when a student in a class of 30 drops out, that drops the graduation rate by a greater percentage.
Of course, all the schools within the district are grouped together to get the district graduation rate, but, in reality, if as few as twenty students are lost for any other reason with the exception of a transfer to another district, that affects the LMSD graduation rate drastically.
A student that might drop out in tenth grade but decides to return to school the next year would still be counted as a dropout in the current accountability model.
Knowing that this is an important portion of LMSD’s “grade,” Luke and his administration at the county schools worked diligently to come up with a plan to retain students. They are also working to include parents more often by encouraging them to participate in Parent/Teacher Organizations or to come to Parent Night events within the district.
Luke also noted that each year, the district updates its Dropout Prevention policy. The district collaborates with universities and local businesses in order to provide pathways for students to graduate. Currently, East Central partners with LMSD in a number of dropout prevention programs; just this year, LMSD is partnering with Tougaloo College and William Carey to assist in providing dual credit courses.
Belinda Swart, Assistant Superintendent, added that the district also utilized ESSER funds within the last few years to purchase a curriculum that utilizes both social and emotional learning in a method of reaching each child.
Luke and Swart both noted that while the district is pleased to rank above the state average for graduation rates, they continue to strive to a 100 percent graduation rate. Swart noted that utilizing an approach to “whole-child” education is key to doing this, and Luke added that he is very proud of the way that schools identify students who might struggle while also providing incentives for students to finish school.
While LMSD has received some data on testing for the 2023-2024 school year, that information is currently embargoed until MDE fully releases it to the public. However, interested parents can go online and see state averages at the MDE website.
