Graph: Graduation Rate Projections 2008-2012
The APS Academic Plan focuses on positively affecting the graduation rate of its students. Specific planning tools, strategies, and tactics are employed on a daily basis to better reach graduation percentage goals.
With that strong focus being placed on the goals of academic achievement and increasing the graduation rate, the Academic Office is diligent in monitoring any student achievement gaps. In addition to monitoring trends, and analyzing data, multiple departments aggressively modify practices and teaching methodologies to effectively close achievement gaps.
Four- and Five-Year Cohort Graduation Rate
Understanding the 4-Year Graduation Rate
Beginning in 2008, the New Mexico Public Education Department began calculating an adjusted cohort or 4-year graduation rate. This rate is based on the first time entering 9th graders in 2004 and accounts for the students through the next four years, their anticipated on-time graduation rate.
The New Mexico model for the 4-year graduation rate uses a shared accountability model approved by the US Office of Education. Snapshots of the students’ enrollments are used as the unit of time, and student outcomes are assigned proportionately to all schools represented in snapshots . Students are tracked with 4 snapshots per year, yielding a maximum of 16 snapshots for the 4-year time span. The rate is then calculated on proportions of a student’s enrollment in a school rather than a cohort of individual students.
APS set targets for the next four years of reporting using the same methods for all other targets that have been set. The target is based on a 100% graduation rate goal; the annual target reduces our gap from that goal by 10% for the years in which the gap is its largest and 5% for successive years as the gap closes.
PED also calculated a 5-year cohort for the classes of 2008 and 2009. The process used was a replica of the 4-year rate except assigning 20 count points for each student. APS improved from 65.1% to 69.8% for the 5-year cohort rate.
Note: The five-year cohort rate is not yet calculated for 2010.
