Data released today by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) show that students in Virginia Beach exceeded the state On-Time Graduation Rate of 81 percent. Almost 83 percent of the class of 2008 graduated on time with a Board of Education-approved diploma.

Beginning with the students who entered the ninth grade in 2004-05, the VDOE began tracking individual students over the four years of a traditional high school career to determine the percentage who graduate on time. This is possible now because students are given a unique number known as a state testing identifier, essentially allowing the VDOE to track students’ progression through high school.

The On-Time Graduation Rate for the cohort reflects the percentage of students who earn one of five Board of Education-approved diplomas within four years.  This provides a more accurate picture of student achievement than previously reported graduation rates because this is not an estimated rate.  The On-Time Graduation Rate tracks individual students and takes into account real-life circumstances such as student mobility, changes in enrollment, and promotion and retention policies and decisions.  This new formula also makes adjustments for students with disabilities or limited English proficient students who may need longer than four years to graduate.        

“Ultimately, our goal is to have 100 percent of our students graduate on time,” said Dr. Jared Cotton, assistant superintendent for the Department of Research, Evaluation, and Assessment (REA). “The baseline data provided this first year will help school administration set targets and identify areas where additional resources could be helpful in reaching that 100 percent goal,” Cotton added.

Of the 5,757 students in the Virginia Beach Schools’ cohort, approximately 48 percent earned an Advanced Studies Diploma, 32 percent earned a Standard Diploma, and 3 percent earned Modified Standard or Special diplomas.

The information provided by the VDOE includes an on-time graduation rate for all students as well as rates by school and student subgroups. Divisionwide, the following percentages of students in the class of 2008 graduated on time with a Board of Education-approved diploma:

• All students – 82.6 percent
• Female students – 85.4 percent
• Male students – 79.8 percent
• African-American students – 76.1 percent
• Hispanic students – 84.2 percent
• Caucasian students – 84.7 percent
• Asian students – 92.2 percent
• Students with Disabilities – 86.5 percent
• Economically Disadvantaged students – 77.7 percent
• Limited English Proficient students – 93.0 percent

To assist parents and members of the community in understanding the new Virginia On-Time Graduation Rate, the school division has developed a list of Frequently Asked Questions which is posted on our Web site, vbschools.com. A complete list of On-Time Graduation Rates for schools throughout Virginia can be found on the Virginia Department of Education Web site.

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