In a recent government meeting, officials presented the comprehensive dropout and college remediation reports, fulfilling an accreditation requirement. The reports, which do not require board action, highlighted significant trends in Bixby Public Schools' dropout rates, revealing a notable decrease compared to state averages.

The dropout rate for the 2022-2023 school year was reported at 4.2%, a significant improvement from the state average of 5.5% for the previous two years. This positive trend was attributed to increased student engagement and connection to the school environment. Officials emphasized the importance of fostering a supportive atmosphere to reduce dropout rates, noting that many students coded as dropouts had transferred to other public schools or were foreign exchange students returning to their home countries.

Despite the encouraging dropout statistics, the remediation report lagged behind, with officials expressing frustration over the lack of updated data from the regional website. The historical data presented showed a consistent decline in dropout rates over the past three years, underscoring the district's efforts to track and support students who leave the system.

Additionally, concerns were raised regarding the cohort graduation rate, which is currently based on students graduating on time. A potential issue looms as the state department has yet to apply for a waiver from the U.S. Department of Education that would allow students on alternative diploma paths to be included in this rate. This could misrepresent the graduation statistics, as some students who meet graduation requirements may not be counted due to their chosen diploma path.

Officials are actively working to ensure that all students are accounted for and supported, with a focus on those who have been withdrawn from the system for over 100 days. The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue monitoring and improving student retention and graduation rates, reflecting the district's dedication to educational success.