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Boost in graduation numbers expected

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The next time graduation rates are released, the Leander Independent School District hopes to see a huge improvement, thanks to a massive anti-dropout program implemented last school year.

The latest available numbers, from 2007, showed LISD with an overall graduation rate of 81 percent, better than many Central Texas districts such as Austin and Bastrop ISD, but lower than Eanes, Hays and Round Rock ISD.

In the subcategories, LISD had more cause for concern - especially among economically disadvantaged students, who had a graduation rate of 59 percent. In the other subcategories, rates were: white - 81, Hispanic - 77, African American - 79.

Last November, the district started the HOPE (Having Relevant Opportunities and Possibilities for Every Student) task force, a group of educators who began looking at different ways the district could boost the number of students who get high school diplomas.

The changes have already given the district impressive completion rates. (The graduation rate is a national statistic that only takes four years into account. The completion rate, a measure used by the state of Texas, still gives students credit if it takes a fifth year for them to complete the required credits for graduation.)

Data is now out for the 2005-06 LISD cohort (the group of students who graduated in June 2009). Completion rates are as follows: 99.7 percent for all students, 94.3 percent for economically disadvantaged, 97.9 percent for white, 96.6 percent for Hispanic and 98.5 percent for African Americans.

In other statistics, 71 students from the 2005-06 cohort dropped out of school. Of those, LISD managed to get 52 enrolled in school again, some at New Hope High School, some at their regular high school.

“We're in a very good place,” said Assistant Director of Student Support Services Lisa Schormann. “The HOPE program has done amazing things for our students, given a lot of hope to the kids.”

Some of the techniques being used to fight the dropout rate are as follows:

Flex Scheduling

The program focused on getting students who were at risk of dropping out or who had already dropped out back into high school under flex scheduling. Students who have jobs can study for half-days, take online courses and use other strategies that make it possible to work toward a diploma while having a life outside school.

Early Identification

Starting at the beginning of the current school year, LISD implemented a program to track and give extra help to students at risk of dropping out as early as the fifth grade.

At-risk factors include: 10 or more unexcused absences, being kept back a grade, being assigned to a residential program for issues such as drug and alcohol abuse, homelessness, being placed at LEO for behavior issues, having failed the TAKS at the eighth or 11th grade level.

The fruits of that program won't be seen until next year.

Dropout prevention teams

In another program that began this school year, each high school has a dropout prevention team that meets at least every six weeks. The teams are made up of counselors, assistant principals, Special Education representatives, registrars and teachers.

22-credit graduation plan

Under the district's recommended plan, it takes 26 high school credits to graduate. This year, LISD approved a 22-credit plan for students who are in danger of dropping out of school. A student can only graduate on that plan with special approval from the school.

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