PHOENIX, Sept. 14, 2005 – Recent news reports regarding Arizona’s dropout and graduation rates, and variations in the way states measure and report those rates, may have some Arizona residents a bit confused. It’s also hard to understand where Arizona ranks nationally when reports generated by different organizations seem to contradict each other. The Center for the Future of Arizona now has a new web site feature that clarifies some of the questions for educators, parents and media who are asking about how Arizona is doing and how it compares with other states.
“There are almost as many ways to calculate state graduation rates as there are states, which makes it extremely difficult to determine Arizona ’s national ranking,” said Dr. Sybil Francis, the Center’s executive director. “Our new web site feature is intended to provide basic information that will shine light on a very complicated topic so that everyone can access it and understand it, not just the experts.”
The Center analyzed a variety of approaches used to determine Arizona ’s national ranking and the best that can be said is that Arizona is just below the national average and at worst close to the bottom. The most recent reports show 16,000 students failing to earn a diploma out of the class of 2003. According to the Center, this could grow by 30 percent – or up to 21,000 students for the class of 2010.
“We need to move beyond the seemingly endless debate over Arizona ’s national ranking and realize that where we are is just not good enough,” said Dr. Francis. “The one thing that is certain is that our growing student population and changing demographics could mean an actual increase in the number of students failing to earn a high school diploma. We need to stop debating our ranking and focus on the challenges.”
Anyone seeking clarification or expansion of these statements can visit www.arizonafuture.org and click on “Graduation and Dropout Rate Initiative” to find answers to questions such as:
The web site also provides: information on Arizona ’s current dropout and graduation rates; explanations of common terminology used in graduation and dropout discussions, such as dropout rate, graduation rate, cohort class, completion rate and status unknown; and links to a variety of resources on the topic.
The Center announced its commitment to tackling the dropout and graduation challenges faced by Arizona in 2003 and received a grant supporting the work from the Bruce T. Halle Family Foundation. The initiative seeks to promote:
The Center is lending support to the efforts of the National Governor’s Association, which is seeking to establish a common methodology among the states for calculating graduation rates, making it more possible to draw sound comparisons among the states. Concurrently, the Center is also convening stakeholders in education, business, and public policy organizations to explore the feasibility of setting an ambitious and achievable goal to improve Arizona ’s graduation rate.
The Center is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization funded through the donations of philanthropic individuals and organizations dedicated to Arizona ’s future well-being. Dr. Sybil Francis serves as the organization’s executive director, and Dr. Lattie Coor serves as chairman and CEO. In addition, the Center is governed by a board of directors comprised of distinguished community leaders committed to improving the lives of Arizonans. For more information, visit the Center’s Web site at www.ArizonaFuture.org or call (602) 496-1360.
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