EXPLANATION OF DATA ON 9th GRADE STUDENTS REPORTED IN REGISTER

On Tuesday, June 03 the Des Moines Register published an article headlined “Fewer D.M. Freshmen Finishing in District.” The story examined where 9^th grade students were after four years in high school. It examined students who began 9^th grade over the course of three school years – 2001-02, 2002-03, and 2003-04 – and where those students were four years later. The story looked at the five comprehensive high schools (East, Hoover, Lincoln, North and Roosevelt) as well as Scavo Campus.

The story can be read online at: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080603/NEWS02/806030397/1001/NEWS

The article may have been confusing to readers in implying that this data was somehow connected to the graduation rates reported by the Iowa Department of Education (based on a formula used by 30 states). This web page is to give what is hopefully a clearer explanation of the data referenced in the story, and provide you with a copy of the actual information provided to the Register.

The data in the story, based on figures provided by Des Moines Public Schools, found that just over 66% of 9^th grade students – out of 6,685 students who began high school during the three years covered in the story – graduated from a Des Moines high school four years later. The data also found high mobility, with more than 17% of student moving or transferring after they began high school. An additional 5.5% of students were still completing their education after four years of high school.

In short, after four years of high school, 89% of Des Moines 9^th grade students had either graduated, were still in school, or had moved/transferred.

In addition, 2% of students had left school due to academic, family or economic concerns; 1.7% were no longer attending school; and the status of 7.2% who no longer attend DMPS was unknown.

The following is a summary of the status of Des Moines 9^th grade students after four years of high school:

• Graduated from DMPS in 4 Years: 66.4%

• Moved: 9.5%

• Transferred: 7.6%

• Unknown: 7.2%

• Still enrolled in DMPS: 2.4%

• Enrolled in alternative school, home school or other educational program: 2.3%

• Left school due to academic, family, or economic concerns: 2.0%

• Non-attender/No show: 1.7%

• Other academic work, i.e. GED: 0.8%

The figures used in the Register’s story were based on data compiled by DMPS staff. The following are PDF files of the complete data provided to the Register:

9^th Graders Who Entered High School in 2003-04

9^th Graders Who Entered High School in 2002-03

9^th Graders Who Entered High School in 2001-02