AHS dropout rates decrease in 2002

State and local school officials last week heralded the reduction in dropout rates, marking the third consecutive year statewide and second straight year in the Alleghany school system that the rates have decreased.

Dropouts were a prominent subject of discussion during the Alleghany County Board of Education's Feb. 5 meeting. The N.C. Department of Public Instruction (DPI) had released its report on the rates, including data for each school system, the day before.

While commending school staff members on the improvement, local officials discussed ways to do even better, such as coordinating requirements with Wilkes Community College's adult high school diploma program.

Alleghany County Schools' dropout rate for grades seven through 12 was 2.22 percent for 2001-02, compared to 2.38 percent for 2000-01, 4.34 percent for 1999-2000 and 3.12 percent for 1998-99.

Statewide the rate for the 2001-02 school year was 3.52, a decline from 3.86 the previous year, 4.34 in 1999-2000 and 4.60 in 1998-99. For grades nine through 12, Alleghany's dropout rate was 3.16 last year, 3.61 in 2000-01, 6.29 in 1999-2000 and 4.63 in 1998-99. Statewide, that rate was 5.25 in 2001-02, 5.72 in 2000-01, 6.43 in 1999-2000 and 6.78 in 1998-99.

According to the DPI release, a dropout is defined as a pupil who was enrolled at some time during the reporting year, was not enrolled on day 20 of the next school year and has not graduated from high school or completed an approved educational program. Dropouts do not include pupils not enrolled due to transfer to another state or district, expulsion, temporary absence due to suspension or school-approved illness, or death.

"We have until the 20th day of the school year to find everybody," said Brenda Sutherland, Alleghany's director of personnel and student services.

Get the rest of this article in this week's issue of the Alleghany News! Back