Investigating Alternative Graduation Rate Models in Arizona
Arizona’s existing methods for calculating and assigning graduation rates may not accurately reflect school performance for students who move frequently or attend alternative programs. In addition, consistently high levels of chronic absenteeism across the state negatively impact graduation rates.
The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) has asked the West Comprehensive Center to investigate alternative graduation rate models, including approaches that weigh outcomes by student attendance and that attribute graduation credit across multiple schools attended by a student.
West CC will support the ADE by:
- Facilitating and mapping existing graduation-rate business rules;
- Leveraging subject-matter expertise to review current calculation approaches and identify potential refinements;
- Developing a considerations brief to summarize options; and
- Producing implementation-focused documentation to support state decision-making.
Through this collaboration, the ADE will develop more accurate graduation rates and accountability ratings and improve its ability to target needed supports and resources.
