WS Chronicle

BY TEVIN STINSON 

THE CHRONICLE

For the second year in a row, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools’ high school graduation rate has topped 85 percent.

According to results submitted by the N.C. Board of Education, the graduation rate for the 2015-2016 school year reached an all time high to 85.7 percent. The rate for the previous school year was 85.4 percent. The graduation rate for fifth-year students is up as well.

Over the past seven years, WS/FCS’s graduation rate has increased almost 15 percent.

The local school board credits the rate increase to the community pledge to raise the graduation rate to 90 percent by 2018. The United Way of Forsyth County, the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and The Forsyth Promise have each supported programs to help students graduate.

Superintendent Beverly Emory said, “We remain committed to our goal to raise the graduation rate to 90 percent by 2018,” she said. “As we get closer, we must do all we can to help our students graduate prepared for college and careers.”

Local high school students’ science scores increased as well, while reading and math scores saw a slight decrease.

When using the GLP, or grade level proficient scale, to measure high school courses, 53.6 percent of WS/FCS students were proficient in Biology, 56.8 percent were proficient in English II and, 55.5 percent were proficient in Math I. The scores for the 2014-2015 school year were 48.5 in Biology, 56.3 in English II, and 60.5 in Math I.

The CCP (college and career proficient) scale shows 46.0 percent of students were proficient in Biology, 48.3 percent were proficient in English II and 44.9 percent were proficient in Math I. This compared to 41.4 percent, 47.5, and 48.1 percent the previous years.

To improve math and reading scores, the board has implemented a number of student-centered initiatives, including a new balanced approach to reading. Each school will also have a goal addressing its achievement gaps, and an improvement plan based on data and accountability.

Emory said the initiatives are geared toward holding schools more accountable. She said, “Our work this year is rooted in our imperatives, which all schools will be held accountable for implementing with fidelity.

“We will model integrity by improving our systems of evaluation and feedback,” she said. “These are not new initiatives, but we are redirecting ourselves to making sure they are monitored and evaluated.”