Dropout rate up in Alleghany

Although the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction reports a decrease in the high school dropout rate in the state, the number of dropouts in Alleghany County is on the rise, according to information released March 1 by the department.

According to information provided by DPI, a “dropout” is defined as a student who was enrolled at some time during the previous school year; was not enrolled on day 20 of the current school year; has not graduated from high school; and has not transferred to another school, is not temporarily absent due to suspension or a “school-approved illness” or death.

Over the last five years, the dropout numbers and dropout rates of Alleghany students in grades nine through 12 have fluctuated from a high of 28 dropouts (for a rate of 6.29) during the 1999-2000 school year to a rate of 3.16 (13 dropouts) during the 2001-2002 school year.

The report shows a slight increase in dropout rates the following school years. The climax, showing 25 dropouts during the 2004-05 school year for a rate of 5.36, follows the increasing pattern. During the 2003-04 school year, Alleghany County reported 17 dropouts with a rate of 3.85.

According to numbers released by DPI, 20,175 dropouts (for a rate of 4.74) were reported during the 2004-05 school year. According to Brenda Sutherland, who serves as the director of student services for Alleghany County Schools, “We’re striving to make this (the numbers) better. We (the administration and support staff of Alleghany County Schools) are putting our heads together to see what we might do to improve these numbers.”

Sutherland noted Monday if a student were to transfer from the high school to the community college, they are classified as dropouts “and this accounts for part of our problem,” she said. “We (the schools) are striving to meet the needs of each child.”

Neighboring Counties

Meanwhile, in neighboring areas, Elkin City Schools show the least number of dropouts, 10, for a rate of 2.61, while Wilkes County Schools reported 223 dropouts, for a rate of 7.14. Ashe County reported 44 dropouts, for a rate of 4.25, while Surry County Schools reported 138 dropouts for a rate of 5.0.

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