Newly released data from the Oregon Department of Education shows 86.4 percent of Canby School District’s students graduated within four years during the 2018-2019 school year, which is basically on par with students’ performance the previous year (86.65 percent) and well above the state’s graduation rate of 80 percent.
While Canby School District exceeds the state graduation rate, officials note there is opportunity for improvement, particularly when it comes to reducing the achievement gap. White students in Canby graduate at a rate 10 percent higher than Hispanic/Latino students, while those navigating poverty or disabilities also lag behind their peers.
On the positive side, Canby students who completed English Learner programs, known by the state number crunchers as “Former English Learners,” showed an outstanding four-year graduation rate of 92.54 percent — higher than the district’s overall rate, and the rate among white students (89.95).
Though they still lag behind, students experiencing poverty or homelessness are showing graduation rates that are higher than they were two years ago, district officials say.
“It’s encouraging to see growth among some student groups who have historically been underserved,” said Superintendent Trip Goodall. “Our efforts to equitably support all students are having some impact; however, we need to do more to ensure all students graduate. As we develop our Student Success Act plan, we are targeting programs, services, and supports that give each student what they need to succeed.”
One group of students that research shows is less likely to graduate are those categorized as “chronically absent,” which means they miss 10 percent of school, which is just two days a month. The district says that currently, almost 40 percent of their senior students are chronically absent.
“We need a strong partnership with the parents in our district to ensure students are coming to school, they’re engaged in school, and they’re achieving in school,” said Superintendent Goodall. “We know that support at home in these areas can lead to academic gains.”
When the root cause of absenteeism is addressed, attendance typically improves and students make academic gains, the district says. For information on how families can support their student’s attendance, visit https://every-day-matters.org.