What Others Are Saying

Comments from CSSP Assisting Organizations on Department of Education’s New High School Dropout Data

Comment from Brad Strong, Director of Education, Children Now:

“We applaud the long awaited release of more accurate data on the high school dropout problem, warts and all. Bravo to the Department of Education and our school districts for working through the technical challenges to provide a clearer picture. Better data is only the beginning; it's what we do with it that matters. In fact, several weeks ago the Public Policy Institute of California researchers reported that they are able to accurately identify students in the fourth grade that will fail the California High School Exit Exam. It's about time that we do more to support district efforts to improve the quality and use of data so that today's fourth graders don't become tomorrow's statistics.”

For more information: www.childrennow.org

Comment from John Affeldt, Managing Attorney at Public Advocates:

“For the first time in its history, California has concrete numbers on how many students drop out of high school between the 11th and 12th grade. Using student identifiers that track individual students, the State has been able to calculate a one-year drop out rate for the first time rather than simply relying on the districts’ best guesses. It will take 3 more years of data before the State can calculate a four-year high school drop out rate. It is a travesty that in a state which prides itself on being a technological innovator we have not been able to compute accurate dropout figures.”

“Though it has taken far too long and it is only partial progress, we applaud today’s advances both on reporting more accurate dropout numbers and on identifying where students go when they leave a school. In particular, we applaud the hard work of the California Department of Education in making this goal a reality.”

“Much work remains to be done, however, if we are to have a truly comprehensive data system that can support continuous improvement of our schools by providing parents, teachers, policymakers and the public with critical data. Public Advocates has long worked to improve the quality of education available to all students. We cannot achieve that goal if we do not know how all of our students are faring, which programs are proving effective, and which need to be abandoned. Today’s achievement is a modest milestone and only the first of many necessary improvements.

“We also need to be able to connect students’ achievement data with data on their teachers, to provide better school-level data on spending, to track students’ performance longitudinally over time, to help teachers use student data to improve instruction and to connect our K-12 data with post-secondary data systems so that we can assess how well our schools are preparing students for college and work. Some of these improvements are in the works; others need to be adopted and implemented. All need to be supported fiscally and implemented on a faster track than we have seen to date. ”

“Much will be made about how the State’s dropout rate and the dropout rate at individual districts and schools are lower than previously reported. There will be time to sort through this important new data. Today, at least, we should appreciate the CDE’s accomplishment and urge Sacramento policymakers to bring forth more sunshine and at an ever faster pace.”

For more information: www.publicadvocates.org

Comment from Eva Vargas, spokesperson for PICO California:

“Reducing the dropout rate is everyone’s business and having accurate data is an important first step towards identifying solutions to this pressing problem. With the release of accurate high school dropout information for every school and district in the state, we no longer have to guess how many students leave school without earning a diploma. Now, we can move forward with the important work of making sure all students have the opportunities and supports they need to graduate high school and lead full and productive lives.”

“In PICO, we believe that as people of faith we have an individual and a collective responsibility to be part of the solution to addressing the dropout issue. This isn’t just a crisis for our schools or for our students and their families. It’s a crisis that affects each of us, and that each of us, has to help solve. We all have talents and gifts, whatever they might be, to assist our youth in attaining their goals and dreams.”

Over the coming weeks and months, PICO organizations throughout California will be convening local forums to engage parents, students, teachers, and others throughout their communities on the causes and solutions to the high number of youth dropping out of school. For more information: www.PICOcalifornia.org

The California Student Success Project Releases New Data/Information Systems Video

More Than A Number: Education Information Systems in California

“It provides an excellent overview for why instructional data is so crucial and it makes certain that the viewer understands this within the context of annual accountability systems. Further, the idea that standardized test data is not the only data to be considered and there is room and value in teacher level assessment to guide instruction is a point well made. Involvement of the students in understanding data and the gaps between where they are and where they need to be is a plus. This was an eye opener to adults when we involved the high school students and even the elementary grade students in Cleveland.”

—Barbara Byrd Bennett, former Superintendent of two NYC School Districts and the former CEO/Superintendent of the Cleveland School District. Ms. Bennett is currently Executive Officer for New Leaders for New Schools and an Executive in Residence for Cleveland State University.

Comments from CSSP Assisting Organizations on Secretary of Education David Long’s Op-Ed in the Sacramento Bee.

More Than A Number: Education Information Systems in California

“Hallelujah! Perhaps 2008 can still be a year of education reform. I commend Secretary Long and Governor Schwarzenegger for their leadership and vision for a data system that supports continuous improvement in the state’s education system. Educators have long suffered without access to solid information that can help improve student outcomes. Through this collaborative effort of the Secretary of Education, the Chief Information Officer and the Department of Education, the plan being developed is a positive step forward to improve education in California.

The Bay Area Council pledges to work with Governor Schwarzenegger, Secretary Long, Jack O’Connell, and legislative leaders to bring a well-planned and developed education information system to California. A strategic investment such as this has a payoff that will far eclipse the upfront costs.”

—Andy Ball. Andy Ball is Chair of the Bay Area Council’s Education Committee and President and CEO of Webcor Builders.

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I strongly applaud Governor Schwarzenegger and Secretary of Education Long for their support of a “robust education data system” for our public schools (“Committed to better data on education, editorial, June 2). More and better information is critical to the success of teachers in the classroom and we must be sure to create the types of information systems that help them do their job well. An investment in a dynamic data system will pay dividends, for educators, parent, and policymakers alike—providing them all valuable information and insights for creating an effective learning environment.

Contrary to the old adage, what we don’t know can hurt us. As business leaders, we especially understand that knowing which programs and practices are effective is critical to our companies and our employees’ success. In education, the success at stake is enormous: whether our young people achieve their goals in the classroom and, ultimately, on the job.

Understandably, building a comprehensive education data system cannot happen overnight. But the Governor’s leadership and vision on this critical issue is the necessary first step to getting teachers and principals the tools they need.

Carl Guardino
President & CEO
Silicon Valley Leadership Group

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Governor Schwarzenegger is to be commended for supporting an education data system to improve student achievement across California.

As the Administration's Secretary of Education David Long stated, the state's educators and policymakers historically have had only minimal data upon which to rely when making critical decisions on reducing drop out rates and creating a successful learning environment. (“Committed to better data on education," opinion editorial, June 2). Obtaining a thorough understanding of California public education through a broad-based data system will go a long way toward helping our students and schools succeed.

But the information we compile shouldn't end with high school graduation. We need to follow students as they progress to post-secondary education and jobs. In today's competitive and global innovation economy, a diploma isn't the sole measurement of achievement: it is essential that we educate and train every student to be prepared for success in school, at work and for life.

As California develops an education database, let's be sure it provides a comprehensive mix of information to assist students in reaching their education and career goals.

David N. Butler, Chief Executive Officer
LEED (Linking Education and Economic Development)
Sacramento

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