For three years, the pandemic has disrupted and complicated nearly every aspect of our lives. Now, as we work to get back on track, students across the RISE network serve as a source of hope and confirmation that we can not only get back on track, but continue to rise.
RISE creates a network of Connecticut public schools working together to help every student get to, through, and out of high school. East Hartford, Meriden, and Hartford, founding partners of the RISE Network, scored double-digit growth in their ninth-grade enrollment rate (from 64% to 81%) and their four-year graduation rate (from 78% to 89%). achieved an increase. For the past 7 years.
This December, the Connecticut Department of Education (CSDE) released accountability data for 2021-22. This was the first release of accountability data from 2018 to his 2019. New interactive CSDE dashboards provide greater transparency on school and district performance on key statewide metrics. Across Connecticut, one of the most plummeting metrics was her ninth-grade performance. This means that fewer high school students are on pace to graduate within four years.
Nearly 1 in 5 9th graders did not earn the credits needed to advance to 2nd grade. The data is a reminder of the widespread impact of the pandemic on student achievement. But we also need to learn and improve from the bright spots across the state. Her RISE high schools in Manchester, East Hartford, Hartford, Meriden, Middletown, Naugatuck, Stamford and Norwalk show how we can get back on track and help every student succeed.
A University of Chicago study showed that good grades in the 9th grade are the single best predictor of on-time graduation. However, many students experience challenges when transitioning to high school. Students are navigating credit for the first time, adjusting to a new school environment and increasing expectations. Recognizing the importance of Grade 9 and the difficulties experienced by many students, her RISE is focused on freshman success, and the pandemic has presented new challenges.
Over the past year, the number of 9th grade freshmen deemed “high risk” based on attendance concerns, poor 8th grade performance, or both, increased after the 2020-21 remote and hybrid school year. , more than doubled.Yet through deliberate and reproducible strategiesRISE saw year-on-year increases in orbital promotions across all demographics.
We are seeing the cumulative impact of investing in successful outcomes as we establish RISE partner schools in East Hartford, Meriden and Hartford. Over the last seven years, RISE’s 9th grade enrollment improved by 17 percentage points, from 64% in 2015 to 81% in 2022. to the resources and opportunities they deserve.
It also improved the four-year graduation rate from 78% to 89%, consistent with the findings. RISE schools have seen an average increase from 77% to 81% in the past grade alone by staying on course and adapting to the new needs and challenges brought on by the pandemic. This leaves us with hope that the school is already on track. We should learn from the diligence, perseverance and creativity of our students, educators and caregivers.
So how did RISE partner schools achieve these results?
Underlying the RISE model are fairness and data. Educators use data to understand student strengths and needs to personalize and tailor student support. Through on-course student meetings, on-course coaching, summer bridge programs, extended day tutoring, senior mentoring and more, the school creates a culture of on-course success. And this continues until graduation.
We want all of our students to leave high school with plans, skills and confidence to achieve post-secondary success. For the first time in 2021, we supported schools in tracking their students’ higher education plans. At that time, only 80% of students graduated with a plan for the future. Last year, 99% of his class of 2022 graduated with a plan, and the proportion of students planning to pursue higher education increased 16 percentage points year-on-year from 70% to 86% for him.
Keeping students on track requires data, personalization, fierce optimism, and a relentless pursuit of better outcomes. We also need to combine our collective strengths.
One of the most powerful elements of the RISE Network is setting aside geographic differences to work together as one community promoting a common goal. Likewise, our statewide success depends on our ability to work together in new ways that are centered around student success.
For example, policymakers need to set aside resources to avoid disruptions in federal relief funding. Communities need to strengthen the teaching profession to sustain and diversify their educational capacity. State and local officials must give educators autonomy to innovate according to student needs. Promising practices should be celebrated and replicated in schools statewide.
Follow the lead of RISE students, families and educators to get back on track and keep going. rise on that occasion.
Emily Pallin is Lindsey Christiani, Executive Director and Communications Specialist at Connecticut Rise Network.
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