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Graduation rate dips; drop out rates increase for SpEd
The high school graduation rate for children with disabilities in the CNMI dipped slightly in fiscal year 2015-2016, according to Public School System Special Education director Suzanne Lizama.
During a presentation last Oct. 12 at the Pacific Islands Club Saipan, Lizama said the program’s graduation rate reached its peak at 82 percent in fiscal year 2014-’15. It, however, went down 2 percentage points the following fiscal year to 80 percent, which is fairly higher than its 66 percent target.
Dropout rates for fiscal 2014-’15 was at 4.45 percent, just 0.45 percent more than the target, 4 percent, while a significant 7.46 percent of high school students with disabilities were dropping out of school in fiscal year ’15-’16; the target for the year was 3 percent. A significant 3.01-percentage point jump in drop out rates within one year is a concern for PSS.
The Special Education State Performance Plan is required of individuals under the Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, which evaluates efforts of public agents to provide early intervention, special education, and related services to those that are in need.
Despite this, Lizama shared that overall, the year was good, having served a total of 916 students, with 88 students in early childhood (3-5 years old) and 828 students aged 6 to 21.
