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PSS gets ‘passing grade’ for student retention
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Posted on Jul 24 2008
The Public School System gets a passing grade for student retention numbers, PSS Commissioner Craig Garrison said.
“Overall, as a district, we are probably getting a B, B-plus in terms of retention, so we’re doing a pretty good job,” he said.
Garrison released some elementary retention numbers Thursday, but said a full report would be ready by the start of the school year.
The Board of Education asked for the report in order to review the district’s progress, Garrison said.
“They wanted to see what elementaries have high or low retention rates,” he said. “It will guide our efforts.”
San Vicente Elementary had one of the highest numbers of students repeating grades at 15 but, Garrison said, San Vicente is academically challenging to students.
“That school is very disciplined in their approach to education, and as such, may be significantly challenging to move ahead,” he added.
Joaquina Salas, acting San Vicente principal, agrees with Garrison that the school’s standards play a part in the student retention numbers.
The school does not simply look at academics to determine if a student moves up to the next grade level, she said. Attendance and reading levels are also considered.
“To be in line with No Child Left Behind, the reading level is a big component,” she said.
Salas said San Vicente, with 766 students, is larger than some of the other schools with lower numbers.
Garrison said the district has improved tremendously in the past 10 years because of No Child Left Behind coupled with more federal funding. Requirements for teachers have also been raised, he added.
A final tally of the 2007-2008 district retention numbers will be ready by the beginning of September, when teachers take part in two professional days before school starts.
“So we can get the best possible estimation of where we are, where we’re going, so we can tell all you first grade teachers, all you second grade teachers, let’s buck it up,” he said.
