Reply to Interim OSSE Report on Student Absenteeism

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[quote=Anonymous]Excerpts from today's WAMU story on interim report.

Students Across D.C. Graduated Despite Chronic Absences, An Investigation Finds
Kate McGee

Tyrone Turner / WAMU

A high-level investigation into chronic absenteeism in Washington, D.C., high schools has found that students across the city were graduated despite having missed more than 30 days of school in a single course, in violation of district policy.

The findings today followed an investigation late last year by WAMU and NPR Ed into widespread violations of this policy at Ballou High school. That reporting has led to two investigations and the placement of the school’s principal, Yetunde Reeves, on administrative leave. Results from the other inquiry are expected later this month.

The findings today come from the D.C. Office of the State Superintendent (OSSE), which contracted with a private firm to look into what happened at Ballou and other high schools. That investigation was ordered by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on Dec. 1.

“The huge investments we have made in our schools only work if students are sitting in the seats,” Bowser said at a news conference today.

The OSSE findings also confirmed our reporting from the last school year at Ballou High School, citing violations, specifically, with 113 of 177 graduating students’ records.

[b]And in looking across the city at other high schools, the investigation found:[/b]

A pattern of students graduating despite extreme absenteeism
Inappropriate and excessive use of credit recovery (accelerated versions of a class)
A pattern of communications from administrators urging teachers to find ways of passing students regardless of absences. Teachers reported concerns about the effect this had on their performance evaluations.

Antwan Wilson, the chancellor of the city’s public schools, said he was “disappointed” by the findings, notably that “over 60 percent of students [were] graduating despite chronic absences.”

“Failure is a part of life,” Wilson added, but he said the district still needs to make sure that students adhere to policies and are set up for success.

[b]Results from a full, district-wide investigation are expected at the end of this month.[/b]

[u]Since publishing our initial report, WAMU and NPR Ed have heard from educators across the country that similar practices are taking place in their schools.[/u]

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