Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Graduation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
DeSoto superintendent credits staff as district graduation rate rises; current cohort tracking behind but expected to improve
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Bennett told the school board Jan. 14 that the district’s graduation rate for the prior school year was 81.6%. He said 75.1% of current seniors would graduate if ceremonies were held that day and predicted the final figure will rise above last year’s mark.
Dr. Bennett, superintendent of DeSoto County Schools, told the school board at its Jan. 14 meeting that the district’s graduation rate for the prior school year was 81.6%, and that as of the meeting “if graduation was today, 75.1% would walk across the stage right now.”
The superintendent said the district recorded the 81.6% rate under “the most stringent testing that we've ever had” from the state education department, and credited a range of district efforts—expanded guidance counseling, targeted academic interventions and coordinated planning with instructional staff—for the improvement.
“It's really been a team effort,” Dr. Bennett said, naming guidance staff and instructional services work with algebra teachers as examples. He told the board he expected the current cohort’s final rate to increase above 81.6% and said, “I think it could be 85 to 90%.”
Board members and staff described a mix of targeted actions behind the gains: earlier identification and tracking of ninth-graders, credit-recovery work to move students back on track, and increased coordination between high school and district instructional services. Dr. Bennett said those efforts included outreach by guidance counselors and follow-up for students behind in credits.
The superintendent and board members repeatedly framed the increase as the result of districtwide collaboration. Dr. Bennett said frontline employees—teachers, bus drivers and custodians—contributed to keeping students engaged and walking toward a diploma.
The board did not adopt new policy or vote on additional programs at the Jan. 14 meeting related to graduation rates; the superintendent described current interventions and forecasted outcomes but did not present a formal motion for board action.
Board members said they view the results as progress and urged continuing attention to early-grade instruction and the district’s support systems for at-risk students.
