Fairfax County Public Schools reviews graduation equity strategies and dropout rates

The Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) School Board meeting on April 24, 2025, focused on graduation equity and the progress made in improving graduation rates and reducing dropout rates among various student groups. The meeting highlighted significant advancements in on-time graduation rates, particularly for Multilingual Learners, whose rates increased by 10 percentage points for those classified as levels 1 and 2. Former Multilingual Learners graduated at a rate exceeding 97%, indicating that support programs are effective once students exit them.

The board discussed the implications of Virginia's new school performance framework, which will now factor in graduation rates more significantly. The four-year graduation rate will account for 10-15% of a school's overall accountability score, while a new six-year graduation measure will recover diplomas for students needing more time to complete their education. This measure will only account for 5% of the overall score, but it aims to provide a more comprehensive view of student success.

The meeting also addressed dropout rates, which have shown improvement across multiple student groups, particularly among Multilingual Learners. The board emphasized the importance of tracking students' credit readiness as early as ninth grade to ensure timely graduation.

In terms of post-secondary plans, 99% of last year's seniors reported having a plan, with 87-88% intending to pursue college. The board noted that 79% of graduates enrolled in college within 16 months of graduation, a rate higher than the state average.

Discussions also revolved around the need for targeted goals to address disparities in diploma types among different student groups. Board members expressed concerns about the achievement gap, particularly for economically disadvantaged students, Multilingual Learners, and students with disabilities. They emphasized the importance of ensuring access to advanced coursework and the need for consistent academic advising.

The meeting concluded with a call for continued support from county partners to maintain progress toward graduation equity goals. The board approved the strategic plan report for the 2024-2025 school year, highlighting the need for ongoing efforts to close achievement gaps and improve educational outcomes for all students.