Oregon Live – Betsy Hammond
“What does it take to get reluctant teens to buckle down and graduate? High schools that showed remarkable success rely on common approaches — including building strong relationships, setting high expectations and promoting active learning – while adding their own distinct flourishes, their leaders say. North Clackamas schools and Beaverton’s Sunset High all achieved notably high graduation rates — and can point to concrete strategies that propelled students who might otherwise have wavered toward their diplomas. The state revealed Thursday that 74 percent of Oregon’s high school class of 2015 earned diplomas. That marked an improvement of 2 percentage points from the previous year and the first substantial increase after five years of stagnation. Success rates varied widely, however. Sandy High, for example, graduated just 56 percent of its low-income students; at Clackamas High, 86 percent of low-income students earned diplomas. There are non-negotiable ingredients required to put all students on a path to success, school leaders say.”(more)