The report cards only contain a handful of normal data points as the spring 2020 state tests in English, math, science and social studies were canceled after mid-March coronavirus-related school closures.
“Overall, our percentages are fairly similar to what we’ve seen over the last four years. This past year may be less accurate due to our students at the Career Center not having an opportunity to take their certification tests due to COVID-19; because they couldn’t test, we had less opportunity to earn points from them earning a certification," said Nick Banion, the district’s high school counselor . “There is a potential for our score to be higher if those students were able to complete their certifications.”
Southeastern had a four-year graduation rate of 93.8%, an increase from last year’s 88.9%, and a five-year graduation rate of 90.5%, according to state report card data.
The state report card’s four-year graduation rate data applies to students in the class of 2019 who entered ninth grade in the fall of 2015 and graduated by the summer of 2019. The five-year graduation rate data applies to students in the class of 2018 who entered the ninth grade in the fall of 2014 and graduated by the summer of 2019.
When it comes to the prepared for success component, which is how well-prepared students are for future opportunities, Southeastern scored a 35%. This includes ACT and SAT participation, dual enrollment credit and honors diploma.
“I don’t feel like the prepared for success indicator is an accurate representation of how prepared our students are for success after high school,” Banion said. “There are several factors that can impact the prepared for success calculation, but in general, I believe our students are showing their ability to succeed in multiple ways that the current calculation is not giving enough weight to.”
According to state report card data, 37 students earned a remediation free score on all parts of the ACT or SAT, earned an honors diploma, and/or earned an industry-recognized credential.
This includes that 92.1% of students took the ACT, 19.7% of students earned a remediation free score, 11% received an honors diploma, 7.9% received industry-recognized credential and 40.9% participated in earning three or more dual enrollment college credits.
“In terms of improvement, the number of students who earned dual enrollment credits increased by 20%, with 40% of our cohort earning at least three semester hours of college credit. In general, more and more of our students are earning college credits through the College Credit Plus Program,” Banion said.
According to state report card data, 50% of the 2017 graduating class entered college within two years and 35.4% of the 2013 graduating class graduated from college within six years of leaving high school.
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