The county posted a graduation rate of 68.9 percent this year, compared to the state average of 75.4 percent.
Georgia’s rate has steadily improved – from 63.4 percent in 2003, 65.4 percent in 2004, 69.4 percent in 2005, 70.8 percent in 2006 and 72.3 percent in 2007.
Troup’s rates over the same period were 66.6 percent, 61.7 percent, 63 percent, 73.2 percent and 70.1 percent.
“Successfully completing the requirements for graduation is influenced by many more things than just academic performance,” said Janet Greer, director of career, technical and agricultural education for Troup County schools. “Attendance rate is a factor. Economic and social pressures are factors. Support for education and the level of importance placed on education at home are significant factors.”
Troup County has seven graduation coaches – one in each high school and middle school, including West Side Magnet. It’s the third year for high school and second year for middle school graduation coaches, who work individually with students.
Additionally, this year, high schools have formed “graduation teams”, including parents, businesses and community members, to provide incentives, personal encouragement and support to potential dropouts.
At Troup High, for example, the PAW program (Partners at Work) provides rewards for outstanding attendance and grades. At Callaway High, leaders secured a grant to provide transportation for students staying after school for tutoring or remediation.
“We’re putting a tremendous focus on tracing and monitoring students to provide the type of support that matches their need, whether it be tutoring, test preparation, credit recovery or even assistance from the school counselor or social worker for issues outside of academic performance,” Greer said.
“Nothing we do is more important than preparing students for a successful future,” she said.
With the new standards-based curriculum, it’s tougher than ever for students to meet graduation requirements, she said. To help them see the importance of earning a diploma, she said, “we stress career planning and workforce development to students and to their parents.”
“Not only is this important when students are making course selections,” she said, “but it goes further to help them visualize their future.”
Speaking earlier this month at the National Dropout Prevention Conference in Atlanta, Gov. Sonny Perdue praised graduation coaches for working with at-risk students and helping them get back on track.
“Our graduation coaches are doing outstanding work serving at-risk students, developing individual graduation plans and following through to encourage potential dropouts to stay in school,” Perdue said.
Added state Schools Superintendent Kathy Cox: “Reducing Georgia’s dropout rate and increasing the graduation rate is our top priority and it’s clear we are making great progress. This has happened thanks to the hard work of our graduation coaches, counselors, teachers, students and parents.
“There is work left to be done, but I know with this type of collaboration we will get the job done.”
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