Our Picture of Health 1998:
Focusing on Community Health to the Year 2000CHAPTER 6: EDUCATION
27. Standardized Tests
The state of Colorado has implemented standards-based education. In 1997 all schools in the state began testing fourth graders for proficiency in reading and writing. The assessment tests are based on content standards.
As shown in figures 6-10 and 6-11, less than half of those tested in any Mesa County school district were at least proficient in writing. No more than 71% were proficient in reading.
ACT tests are one form of test that colleges may require. Among those taking ACTs, average scores improved during the 1990s in School District #51.
May link to . . .
- Literacy
- Skilled Work Force
- Social Environment
Figure 6-9: ACT Test Scores for School District #51
Source: School Districts #49, 50, and 51
Figure 6-10: Writing Proficiency
Source: School District #51
Figure 6-11: Reading Proficiency
Source: School Districts #49, 50, and 51
28. Dropout Rates
Dropout rates for regular high schools are fluctuating, while they are decreasing in alternative schools. Alternative schools provide programs for students who are not succeeding in, or whose need to be employed would force them to drop out of, traditional schools. Because students have these choices, the overall dropout rate in Mesa County is reduced in comparison to what it could have been.
A dropout is a "person who leaves school before completion of a high school diploma or its equivalent, and who does not transfer to another public or private school or enroll in an approved home study program."
A student is not a dropout if he/she transfers to an educational program recognized by the district, completes a G.E.D. or registers in a program leading to a G.E.D., is committed to an institution that maintains educational programs, or is so ill that he/she is unable to participate in a homebound or special therapy program.
Figure 6-12: Dropout Rates for All Mesa County Schools
Source: Colorado Department of Education
Figure 6-13: Dropout Rates for District #49, DeBeque
Source: Colorado Department of Education
Figure 6-14: Dropout Rates for District #50, Plateau
Source: Colorado Department of Education
Figure 6-15: Dropout Rates for District #51, Mesa Valley
Source: Colorado Department of Education
29. Graduation Rates
The national education goal is for the graduation rate to reach 90% by the year 2000.
Each local school board defines graduation requirements for its district. The state considers a graduate to be any student who has met the graduation requirements of his or her local school district.
Two types of rates are calculated for school districts and for the state: Graduation Rates and Completer Rates.
Graduation Rates. A graduate is a student who has completed locally defined requirements for graduation.
Completer Rates. Completer rates also include students who receive another certificate or designation of high school completion. The Completer Rates were used in this report.
May link to . . .
- Literacy
- Education
- Highly Skilled Work Force
- Transportation
The average monthly earnings of workers with high school diplomas are more than double the earnings of those without high school diplomas.
Figure 6-16: Graduates and Completers for All Schools, Including Alternative Schools
Source: Colorado Department of Education
Figure 6-17: Graduates and Completers for All Schools, Excluding Alternative Schools
Source: Colorado Department of Education
30. Graduation Rates by Ethnicity and Gender
Graduation rates across ethnic and gender groupings in small districts can vary widely based on small numbers in a specific group. The numbers and rates included in Figures 6:18-20 are for completers and include alternative schools.
Figure 6-18: District #49 DeBeque, Graduation Rates by Ethnicity and Gender
Figure 6-19: District #50 Plateau, Graduation Rates by Ethnicity and Gender
Figure 6-20: District #51 Mesa Valley, Graduation Rates by Ethnicity and Gender
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