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District data: 70% of class of 2014 on track but 758 seniors missing 1-2 courses; math and language gaps highlighted
Summary
SFUSD staff told the Board that 70.4% of the class of 2014 were on track as of a Feb. 7 data pull; 758 seniors had the total number of credits but were missing at least one course, with math, language-other-than-English and physical education the most common gaps. Staff outlined credit-recovery enrollments and pledged follow-up data by subgroup.
District officials told the San Francisco Board of Education on April 22 that a February 7 data snapshot shows progress and large remaining gaps for the class of 2014 under the A-G graduation requirements.
Bill Sanderson, executive director for curriculum and instruction, said the spring snapshot (which removed continuation and county-school students to reflect A-G counts) included 3,593 students and that 70.4% were on track to graduate. Sanderson and his team said 758 students had the total number of credits but remained short by one or two courses in most cases; across that group the most commonly missing subjects were mathematics, a language other than English and physical education.
Credit recovery and interventions: Stephen Kaufman, director of extended learning and support, said 335 seniors who were off track were already enrolled in some form of credit-recovery options (evening school, Saturday classes, online options or site-funded Sprout programs), and that the systemis prioritizing in-school day options when possible. Kaufman said the districthad also expanded the portfolio of credit-recovery options and would continue to push for daytime remediation when schools can accommodate students.
Exit exam and subgroup results: Staff reported California High School Exit Exam pass rates (presented in the briefing) of roughly 93.9% passing ELA and 95.1% passing mathematics, and said 92.3% of students had passed both exams. Board members and community advocates questioned subgroup breakdowns and the pace at which students had been identified and served. Several community speakers and advocates highlighted that African American seniors had higher rates of off-track status and urged urgent, disaggregated accountability and targeted supports.
Board follow-up and next steps: Commissioners requested additional breakdowns (race/ethnicity, special education, English learners, timing of course failures by year and how many students are making up courses in the current semester). Staff committed to provide more disaggregated data, to document counselor intervention logs and to return with more analyses of which recovery options are most effective. Summer school and extended-learning opportunities (including PEAF-funded Sprout funds) were noted as available; staff posted summer school dates and an extended-learning site (www.sfusd.edu/extendedlearning).
Why this matters: This is the first graduating class required to meet the district A-G requirements as the default diploma route. The data brief highlights both improvements and an immediate challenge: a large cohort of seniors within reach of graduation but still needing specific course credits.
The board did not take a final action on policy that night; staff said they would return with requested follow-up reports and more granular subgroup analyses.
