Goal 5 report: FCPS on track for overall on‑time graduation but gaps persist for multilingual learners and students with disabilities

Fairfax County Public Schools reported gains in on‑time graduation and declines in dropout rates at the April 8 Goal 5 presentation, but staff and board members said persistent disparities for multilingual learners, some students with disabilities and other groups require continued targeted action.

“Overall about 95 percent of our students graduated on time last year,” a lead presenter told the board, and staff said that FCPS’ on‑time graduation rates were slightly higher than the state average and comparable to other Northern Virginia divisions. Staff also reported that the class of 2024 earned higher rates of the Advanced Studies diploma (about 62%) than the state average, with roughly 31% earning a Standard diploma and fewer than 2% an Applied Studies diploma.

Nut graf: Why it matters

Staff emphasized that graduation equity — defined by the division as students graduating with a plan and demonstrable preparation for postsecondary success — is a culmination of earlier work (attendance, course access, early‑grade supports). The report showed overall targets on course toward the division’s 2030 goals but identified groups that require deeper interventions, notably students at ELP (English Language Proficiency) levels 1–2 and some students with disabilities.

Key data and definitions

- On‑time graduation: FCPS staff explained the metric counts students who earn a standard, advanced studies or applied studies diploma within four years of entering ninth grade; multilingual learners and students with disabilities may be moved into different cohorts when they are granted extended time for graduation. - Federal Graduation Indicator (FGI): Staff warned that the state will adopt the 4‑year FGI for accountability; it excludes applied studies diplomas and does not adjust for students moved into different graduating cohorts for extended time. Using the 4‑year FGI instead of FCPS’s on‑time rate will lower the measured rate by about 3–4 percentage points in many divisions, staff said, and the 6‑year FGI will be closer to the on‑time rate but has lower weight in the state accountability formula. - Dropouts: FCPS reported a decline in dropout rates overall; the largest improvements were among groups with previously higher dropout rates. Staff noted that about three‑quarters of students who left the class of 2024 without a confirmed enrollment were classified as current multilingual learners, and about two‑thirds were 18 or older at withdrawal.

Gaps and groups of concern

Staff singled out multilingual learners at lower ELP levels as a priority: the on‑time graduation rate rose sharply for ELP levels 1–2 compared with baseline but remains below the division average. Students with disabilities categorized as level 2 had on‑time rates roughly seven percentage points below students with disabilities categorized level 1. Staff said these patterns point to the need for targeted interventions and flexible options for older students who may work or have other responsibilities.

Strategies and actions

Staff described six broad strategies to close gaps and support graduation equity: (1) school‑level dashboards and tools that identify at‑risk students; (2) targeted resources at higher‑need schools, including on‑time graduation resource teachers placed in nine high schools; (3) attendance and engagement initiatives; (4) increased use and outreach for credit accommodations for students with IEPs or 504 plans; (5) improved scheduling and academic advisement, including consistent course audits; and (6) refinement of predictive models and transition supports.

Examples: staff said schools use on‑time graduation dashboards to identify students missing credits and then develop individualized graduation plans; the division expanded “twilight” and credit recovery options and placed resource teachers at selected high schools to re‑engage students who dropped out.

Postsecondary outcomes and portrait‑of‑a‑graduate measures

Staff reported that 99% of responding seniors indicated a postsecondary plan on the senior survey; most reported plans to enroll in college. National Student Clearinghouse data (16‑month lookback) showed about 79% of the class of 2023 enrolled in 2‑ or 4‑year college within 16 months of graduation; staff cautioned that the Clearinghouse does not track military enlistment, work or apprenticeships.

Presenters also flagged low current usage of the formal “presentation of learning” (POG poll) and portrait‑of‑a‑graduate reporting: a small number of students had completed a formal presentation of learning in the reporting window, and staff said they intend to increase incorporation of POG work into coursework and to discuss whether to require presentations as part of graduation readiness in future phases.

Board questions and follow up

Board members pressed for clearer communications to families, for more cross‑department coordination, and for explicit measures that demonstrate students are prepared for postsecondary success (not just graduation). Several members asked for additional disaggregations (intersectionality: multilingual + special education; diploma types by subgroup) and for more complete Clearinghouse follow‑up on employment, credentialing, and associate‑degree attainment through dual‑enrollment programs. Staff committed to supply additional disaggregated data and to continue work on communication and implementation strategies.

Speakers

- Ms. Hunstead, Senior Leadership Team member (presenter) (government) - Ms. Neal, FCPS staff (presentation lead on graduation equity) (government) - Dr. Ponce, FCPS senior staff (government) - Dr. Michelle King, Superintendent (government) - Board members who questioned or contributed: Mr. Frisch (Chair), Ms. Anderson (Vice Chair), Ms. Maron, Mr. Moon, Ms. Sizemore Heizer and others (government)

Authorities

- {"type":"other","name":"Federal Graduation Indicator (FGI) — 4‑year and 6‑year measures","referenced_by":["presentation on accountability"]} - {"type":"other","name":"National Student Clearinghouse data (16‑month college enrollment)","referenced_by":["postsecondary enrollment statistics"]}

Clarifying details

- {"category":"on_time_graduation_overall","detail":"Overall on-time graduation for class of 2024","value":95,"units":"percent","approximate":true,"source_speaker":"presentation lead"} - {"category":"diploma_mix","detail":"Class of 2024 diploma distribution","value":"Advanced studies ~62%, Standard ~31%, Applied studies <2%","source_speaker":"presentation lead"} - {"category":"clearinghouse_college_enrollment","detail":"College enrollment within 16 months (Class of 2023) via Clearinghouse","value":79,"units":"percent","approximate":true,"source_speaker":"presentation lead"} - {"category":"dropout_demographics","detail":"Of 567 students who dropped out from class of 2024, ~75% were current multilingual learners; ~66% were age 18+ at withdrawal","source_speaker":"presentation lead"}

Proper_names

- {"name":"FAIRFAX CO PBLC SCHS","type":"agency"} - {"name":"National Student Clearinghouse","type":"organization"} - {"name":"Advanced Studies Diploma","type":"other"} - {"name":"Standard Diploma","type":"other"} - {"name":"Applied Studies Diploma","type":"other"}

Community_relevance

{"geographies":["Fairfax County, VA"],"funding_sources":["not specified"],"impact_groups":["multilingual learners","students with disabilities","economically disadvantaged students","students at risk of dropping out"]}

Meeting_context

{"engagement_level":{"speakers_count":20,"duration_minutes":80,"items_count":1},"implementation_risk":"medium","history":[{"date":"baseline year","note":"Targets set from baseline toward 2030 goals"}]}

Searchable_tags

["graduation-equity","on-time-graduation","dropout","multilingual-learners","applied-studies","National-Student-Clearinghouse","FCPS-goal5"]

Provenance

{"transcript_segments":[{"block_id":"5333.655","local_start":0,"local_end":158,"evidence_excerpt":"My apologies, Doctor. Anderson. So it's my pleasure this afternoon as we explore goal 5 of our strategic plan to introduce, members of our senior leadership team who will be, presenting our goal 5 report.","reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id":"6726.15","local_start":0,"local_end":46,"evidence_excerpt":"So this concludes our goal 5 report, and I will turn it over to our meeting managers.","reason_code":"topicfinish"}]}