In light of a recent story in the Valley Breeze regarding 200 Woonsocket High School seniors being in jeopardy of NOT graduating this year, WPRO’s Tara Granahan reached out to every one of Rhode Island’s superintendents to see how their district is doing in comparison.
She asked:
- The Number of seniors enrolled in Sept. 2020
- The Number of seniors set to/on target to graduate in May 2021
- The Number of seniors in jeopardy of NOT graduating (as of this day)
- Any info on programs created to help those in danger of failing – in order to help them graduate on time
- The Number of seniors who have signed up or are participating in those programs mentioned above
The information she gathered is below:
Barrington / Mike Messore
We do not have valid information until the end of May.
Bristol/Warren / Jonathan Brice
Number of seniors enrolled in Sept. 2020
257 Seniors Enrolled
Number of seniors set to/on target to graduate in May 2021
Greater than 200 seniors have met requirements to graduate in June 2021
Number of seniors in jeopardy of NOT graduating (as of this day)
We are working to support the seniors who have not yet met graduation requirements.
Any info on programs created to help those in danger of failing – in order to help them graduate on time
Strategies for assisting progress toward graduation
At risk meetings/working with teachers to prioritize work and essential concepts
Schedule changes
Class level changes and addition to the PASS courses (acceleration)
Use of Edgenuity – online classes specific for credit recovery
Extended Day Program for students – extra help, organizational support, etc…
Virtual Support Monday support
Communication with parents/guardians in meetings, and letters sent home
Number of seniors who have signed up or are participating in those programs mentioned above
All seniors who have not met graduation requirements have had At Risk meetings with our support team and have various plans in place to support them.
3.Burrillville / Michael Solitto
Our cohort number for the class of 2021 is 175.
We expect about 166 of our 175 seniors to graduate by the end of the school year or during summer school. Currently 14 seniors are not on track to finish by June. Of the 14 not on track, 2 are enrolled in GED programs and 2 have transferred to other schools. We must still count them in our data since they are members of the cohort of the BHS class of 2021. Of the remaining ten we expect five will finish in the summer and five will return for a 5th year.
See above (14 total) – we expect at least 161 seniors to graduate in June and another 5 to graduate after summer school.
Any info on programs created to help those in danger of failing – in order to help them graduate on time
A senior watch meeting (this is not a new practice) is held bi-weekly consisting of administrators, guidance counselors and the Proficiency Based Graduation Requirement (PBGR) coordinator. The team reviews the progress of every senior towards meeting graduation requirements. Seniors who need individualized plans, interventions, or scheduling adjustments to assist in meeting graduation requirements are made during these meetings. For any student failing behind meetings are also scheduled with the parent and student. We have also started a first semester credit recovery academy for all students who didn\’t pass courses during the first semester.
There are currently 13 seniors eligible for the credit recovery program referenced above. I also want to note that these numbers are aligned with what we normally see each school year. Our graduation rate (4 year rate) is typically in the vicinity of 90-94% with a 5 year graduation rate around 95%-97%.
Central Falls/ Stephanie Toledo
NO RESPONSE
Chariho / Gina Picard
* Number of seniors enrolled in Sept. 2020 251
* Number of seniors set to/on target to graduate in June 2021 212
* Number of seniors in jeopardy of NOT graduating (as of this day) 39
* Brief narrative that outlines info on the programs created to help those in danger of failing – in order to help them graduate on time
* Graduation Plans are developed by school counselors for any seniors who are at-risk of graduating. Parents are informed of the need for a Graduation Plan and are connected to the process.
* Towards the beginning of Quarter 3, all at-risk seniors are paired with a district or building administrator and a school counselor for ongoing, frequent at-risk meetings. The meetings include identifying barriers to success, creating individualized goals, and regular progress monitoring to assess on-track performance towards graduation.
* Seniors who need to recoup credits are provided with opportunities for credit recovery through our Credit Recovery Program
* Ongoing supports provided by our clinical staff as well as our deans for comprehensive services. Clinicians may provide individualized support for executive skills, task prioritization, organization, work completion and grade monitoring.
* Number of seniors who have signed up or are participating in those programs mentioned above 39
Coventry / Craig Levis
Coventry had 332 seniors in September September/ 329 Seniors Current
June 2021 Graduation and July 2021 Graduation: Coventry also holds a July graduation for students who have not completed requirements by June. It is our belief that many of the students will meet these deadlines based on interventions below.
Right now it appears that 15-20 Seniors may not graduate in June, but we are hopeful that many will meet the July deadline.
CHS created a \”Senior Academy\” for these students. Students in the senior academy: 42 students attend school 5 days a week (while we are on hybrid). They attend their classes two days a week and they come to senior academy to improve first semester grades to a passing grade.
Some students have been removed from their electives and/or classes they do not need for graduation to give them time to focus on the classes they need to graduate
We have put students on Edgenuity (Virtual Curriculum) to recover the previous quarter\’s work in the senior academy
We have guidance counselors, administration, psychologists and social workers to monitor the senior academy and to provide support
Some teachers request students attend classes instead of working in senior academy, that is welcome
For Special Education Students, we also have case managers available throughout the day to work with and assist students in senior academy. We also have made 2 math teachers available to assist students with math.
This is in addition to the interventions that our teachers implement working with students and families. Our Deans, Social Workers, Psychologists and SRO have conducted home visits to support students and families.
Cranston / Jeannine Nota-Masse
We have about 10% of our high school seniors (3 high schools) who are in danger of not graduating (We will be providing opportunities for credit recovery classes in person, Google-classrooms that are unique to each department with program supervisors supporting students who need to earn academic expectations, Saturday Academy for credit recovery, Alternative Education Program designed for students who need to earn additional credits and All Course Network for additional credits as needed. We are hopeful that the number will lessen a bit before June. We have about 100 students signed up for these opportunities.
Cumberland/ Robert Mitchell
Number of seniors enrolled in Sept. 2020 -345
Number of seniors set to/on target to graduate in May 2021 315
Number of seniors in jeopardy of NOT graduating (as of this day) 43
Any info on programs created to help those in danger of failing – in order to help them graduate on time
Increased connections, phone calls home. Administrators and school counselors making weekly connections. Planning for early senior summer school give students the opportunity to recover credits
The first cohort to come back to school in person 4 days per week
Schedule changes for students in order to focus on graduation requirements only
Number of seniors who have signed up or are participating in those programs mentioned above
We now have 81% of seniors in person
All 43 students in jeopardy on this day have been set up with check and connect individual for check ins
8 students schedules have been modified
Early summer school – TBD
East Greenwich / Alexis Meyer
Number of seniors enrolled in Sept. 2020 We currently have 208 Senior students
Number of seniors set to/on target to graduate in May 2021 It is our goal to have all students ready to walk the stage and receive a East Greenwich High School Diploma
Number of seniors in jeopardy of NOT graduating (as of this day) A few students are in need of additional support as we get closer to the end of the school year.
Any info on programs created to help those in danger of failing – in order to help them graduate on time . We have offered and will continue to offer support and interventions for ALL our Seniors to be successful. These supports include during school school day , after school and virtually that is typically facilitated through the guidance department.
Number of seniors who have signed up or are participating in those programs mentioned above. This is not necessarily a sign up matter but a series of outreach/interventions to provide targeted support and care for students.
East Providence /Toby Gibbons
Number of seniors enrolled in Sept. 2020 – 323 students
Number of seniors set to/on target to graduate in May 2021 – 260 students
Number of seniors in jeopardy of NOT graduating (as of this day) – 63 students
Any info on programs created to help those in danger of failing – in order to help them graduate on time
Programs to help with Seniors Graduate:
*In November and December, every student who was failing more than 3 classes received a phone call from their Guidance Counselor, a Dean, Assistant Principal, and/or Principal.
*In March, we began offering GradPoint Recovery with a highly qualified teacher for any senior who is in danger of failing a required course for graduating. This is ongoing.
*We are taking students out of \”non-graduation\” requirements and setting them up with GradPoint and tutoring with highly qualified teachers to recoup credit. This is ongoing.
*We will communicate with all students who are in danger of not graduating after quarter 3 and offer more support and help for them to graduate with their peers.
*We will continue to have seniors into the building for support throughout the summer.
Exeter-West Greenwich/James Erinakes
We had 139 Seniors as of Sept. 2020. We feel very confident at least 120 will have met their requirements to walk at the graduation ceremony on June 12 as of this writing (we still have another quarter to go). We have 19 Seniors on our watch list to receive a diploma after the June 12 ceremony date. All are being followed with student/parent/guidance/Principal meetings and personal plans are created for each to reach a diploma on June 12 (again, this is early with another quarter to go). Any Senior is immediately put on a credit recovery program with a support plan as soon as it is identified they are at risk for not completing graduation requirements by the June ceremony date. Of the 19 students, I would anticipate we should have 12 make it by the skin of their teeth as there is a great deal of work going on to support them. The other 7 may need additional time beyond the June 12 day but with more time at least half of them should reach their goal prior to the end of 2021. However, a great deal of work will go on between now and the end of quarter 4. All of the seniors except about 3 are actively engaged in working on their plan to graduate.
Foster-Glocester/ Michael Barnes
NO RESPONSE
Jamestown …. No high school in town
Johnston/Bernie DiLullo
We have 213 Seniors enrolled at Johnston High School.
At this time there could be 27 Seniors not eligible to graduate in June 2021 however, because our high school offers a credit recovery program each summer, most of these students would likely be August 2021 graduates.
Lincoln/Lawrence Filippelli
Number of seniors enrolled in Sept. 2020- 216
Number of seniors set to/on target to graduate in May 2021- 207
Number of seniors in jeopardy of NOT graduating (as of this day)- 9 (please note that this number is based on us erring on the side of caution and also due to the effect covid has had on all schools in RI ..the final number will not be this high)
Any info on programs created to help those in danger of failing – in order to help them graduate on time– We have expanded our use of our virtual learning platform (Edgenuity) for seniors who are struggling with the Hybrid/Full Virtual model. These students may access their learning anytime of day, and are being overseen by our Proficiency-Based Graduation Coordinator.
Number of seniors who have signed up or are participating in those programs mentioned above- 17 students are accessing the prog
Little Compton …No high school in town
Middletown/Rosemarie Kraeger
Number of seniors enrolled in Sept. 2020 We currently have 115 Senior students
Number of seniors set to/on target to graduate in May 2021 It is always our hope to have every student graduate
Number of seniors in jeopardy of NOT graduating (as of this day) We never give up on our students and their efforts to complete the necessary work they need to do to graduate.
Any info on programs created to help those in danger of failing – in order to help them graduate on time . We have offered and will continue to offer supports and interventions for ALL our Seniors to be successful. These supports include during school, after school, weekend, and April break.
Number of seniors who have signed up or are participating in those programs mentioned above. Numbers are fluid.
Narragansett/Pete Cummings
This year has been a challenge for many students and families, but Narragansett has been offering additional assistance to all of our students to keep them on track.
We have extensive supports for our high school students, including regular extra help, credit recovery opportunities, and 1:1 tutoring with teachers and/or administrators. We are engaging identified students in additional tutoring and credit recovery programs throughout the Spring, including over April break. With all of those supports, here are the answers to your questions:
Number of seniors enrolled in Sept. 2020 :
o 105
Number of seniors set to/on target to graduate in May 2021
o 103
The other 2 students are on track to graduate by July 2021
Number of seniors in jeopardy of NOT graduating (as of this day)
o Approximately 8-10 students need support to pass classes needed to graduate.
o 2 students will need to make up an additional core requirement in the summer session, but if they do so will graduate July 2021.
Any info on programs created to help those in danger of failing – in order to help them graduate on time
o Mandatory extra help for students who need extra support in a class
o 1:1 tutoring program to support students
o Additional after school supports for students who need assistance in completing Senior Project or Senior Paper
Number of seniors who have signed up or are participating in those programs mentioned above
o 18
Newport/Colleen Jermain
We have 166 Seniors. The third quarter is wrapping up at the end of this month. We monitor this throughout the year so if any students were having challenges- we address it then- not at the end of the school year. At this time students are in and out of support programs- some are doing tutoring, intervention work with teachers, RIDE programs offered during the year and so on. We will have more information on how many are in danger of not graduating on time after third quarter grades are in within the next few weeks.
As far as how many we believe may not make it… We always strive for success and to keep on working at it. This is tough to answer because we have seniors that are struggling working up to the very last opportunity to be successful. Our hope is that everyone of them will be successful.
We have offered and will continue to offer supports, tutoring, and interventions for ALL our Seniors to be successful. These supports include before, during school, after school, weekend, and during vacation times. Our online tools are avaiable 24/7 and our teachers are great about being available for the last senior stretch to graduation.
Seniors who have signed up or are participating in those programs mentioned above vary when they need support, or when they have caught up, they usually will exit out or possibly enter a new intervention or support.
NEW SHOREHAM (Block Island) / Michael Convery
We have 12 seniors this year.
All are on track to graduate. Fortunately, we have all our students (140) in the building for in person learning.
North Providence /Joe Goho
1. 268 seniors
North Smithfield
NO RESPONSE
Pawtucket/ Cheryl McWilliams
Our guidance counselors and administrators have continued to meet with students and parents pertaining to their graduation status. We have also been offering programs and strategies to help those seniors in jeopardy, (approximately 18%) such as have opportunities such as support in intervention classes, content and recovery programs.
Portsmouth/ Tom Kenworthy
We use an online credit recovery program (have had it in place in the district for years) and provide tutoring as needed. We have about 15 out of 217 seniors currently participating in this program (a little higher than previous years but there are always some students in this situation each year). Most of these seniors will successfully complete the credit recovery program and graduate on time. Those who do not are given extended time and usually finish up in the summer. We will not know the actual number until early June. I hope this clarifies.
Providence /Harrison Peters
NO RESPONSE
Scituate / Laurie Andries
Number of seniors enrolled in Sept. 2020 —We currently have 105 Senior students
Number of seniors set to/on target to graduate in May 2021 —-We are confident that will our support and the students hard work we can get all students to the goal of graduation
Number of seniors in jeopardy of NOT graduating (as of this day)—-We will work with students who require our support until the day of graduation to achieve this goal
Any info on programs created to help those in danger of failing – in order to help them graduate on time . We have offered and will continue to offer supports and interventions for ALL our Seniors to be successful. These supports include during school and after school,.
Number of seniors who have signed up or are participating in those programs mentioned above. Numbers are ever changing
Smithfield/ Judy Paolucci
Number of seniors enrolled in Sept. 2020 – 165
Number of seniors set to/on target to graduate in May 2021 – 125
Number of seniors in jeopardy of NOT graduating (as of this day) – We are closely monitoring approximately 40 seniors. Some are grade/credit-related and some are graduation portfolio related
Any info on programs created to help those in danger of failing – in order to help them graduate on time – The majority of our work has been individual meetings and support depending on the individual student\’s needs. Our support team has been working closely with families since the start of the school year. We are adding a tutoring program in the next few weeks. We will also be running a \”fifth quarter\” which is our version of summer school to assist students with credit recovery
South Kingstown/Linda Savastano
We have been in-person at SKHS for five days a week all school year.
We have had about 80 – 85% come in-person
About our SKHS Senior Class: We began the school year with 234 seniors.
We anticipate that our graduation rate will be comparable to the Class of 2020 (95.6%).
While some of our students in the Class of 2021 need additional attention such as student meetings with counselors, administrators, and other staff, intervention, parent meetings, as well as credit retrieval, the number of students needing such supports is not dissimilar to last year.
The District will also provide a comprehensive K-12 Summer Program.
While we do not anticipate many of our seniors needing this support. It will be available for all other grade levels.
Tiverton /Peter Sanchioni
Number of seniors enrolled in Sept. 2020 124
Number of seniors set to/on target to graduate in May 2021. 123
Number of seniors in jeopardy of NOT graduating (as of this day). 12
Any info on programs created to help those in danger of failing – in order to help them graduate on time – High dosage, mandatory, evening tutoring required for all at-risk seniors, extended time to submit late work, weekly phone calls home, visits by our SRO to virtual students who are not keeping up.
Number of seniors who have signed up or are participating in those programs mentioned above 12
Warwick/ Phil Thornton
As third qtr is not even at an end, it’s premature for us to make those determinations.
We are actively working with students in need of support. I can give you a better sense of this after third qtr.
Westerly/ Mark Garceau
Number of seniors in Sept of 2020: 183 —We currently have 180 seniors.
Number of seniors set to / on target to graduate in June 2021: I would estimate that 165 students are on track to graduate.
Number of seniors in jeopardy of NOT graduating (as of this day): I have met with 54 seniors 2-3 times in individual meetings to discuss progress and lack of progress. Parents and teachers have been invited and included in these meetings.
Any information on programs created to help those in danger of failing — in order to help them graduate on time:
We host Saturday school for those students who, numerically, are unable to pass a core subject for the 2020-2021 school year. During Saturday school, students attend, in person, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. to work on the first semester of their course. If successful, combined with a passing second semester, the student would attain the credit for the course. Attendance is mandatory and grades are closely monitored by the Saturday school teachers. There are 24 seniors enrolled and attending.
We have created an alternative school called Fresh Start for seniors for whom the traditional high school setting is not conducive to their learning style. Students attend Monday through Thursday from 4:30-7:30 pm and Friday from 2-5 p.m. On Monday students learn Math, Tuesday, Civics, Wednesday is electives, Thursday, English, Friday, physical education and electives. There are 9 students enrolled and attending.
Woonsocket/ Peter McGee
Number of seniors enrolled in Sept. 2020: 367
Number of seniors set to/on target to graduate in May 2021: 348
Number of seniors in jeopardy of NOT graduating (as of this day): 19
Any info on programs created to help those in danger of failing – in order to help them graduate on time: We have created an after school intervention senior support credit recovery program for students who have failed at least one class for the first semester. Core classes (ELA, math, science, and social studies) as well as some electives are provided over four sessions from March to June. In addition to the aforementioned offerings/support, we are running our annual summer school for any senior who does not have enough credits to graduate in June.
Number of seniors who have signed up or are participating in those programs mentioned above: 107 have signed up as of April. Students can register for these classes until the beginning of May.
West Warwick /Karen Tarasevitch
While it is still early in the spring for a final count of June graduates, we do expect a large percentage of our senior class to be on track for graduating in June. On top of the supports we have had all year, we have intensive after school supports as opportunities for students to are struggling to graduate on time. We also have a summer graduation and offer summer opportunities for seniors to finish graduation requirements to participate in the summer graduation. These graduates are considered part of the class of 2021.