By Fallan Patterson
Staff Writer

More students graduated from Osceola County high schools in the 2009-10 school year than the previous year, according to a report released last week by the Florida Department of Education.

Districtwide, the graduation rate rose to 83.5 percent last year from 79.2 percent in the 2008-09 school year, a 16-percent increase in two years.

“I am extremely proud of these achievements as every day we are holding all of our students to higher standards and expectations,” Superintendent Michael Grego said. “Our expectation is that every student in the Osceola School District will graduate college-and-career-ready.”

Deputy Superintendent Debra Pace said opportunities for parents, such as report card night, where parents come to the high schools to meet their child’s teachers and pick up the report card, also aid in increased graduation rates.

“Parental involvement played a critical role,” she said.

Grego credits several successful initiatives to the increased graduation rate including a seven-period instructional school day as opposed to the traditional six-period day, which allows for more time to meet graduation requirements.

The IMPACT program allows students significantly behind on class credits and accelerated way to recover credits for graduation. During the 2009-10 school year, 776 students earned a combined total of 3,210 credits and their high school diplomas through this program.

Additionally, remediation curriculum was designed for 11th- and 12th-grade students to help them meet FCAT graduation requirements. SAT and ACT test preparation has been expanded, improving college readiness.

The district also expanded its alternative education programs at the Adult Learning Center Osceola, which gives adults the opportunity to earn a high school diploma or equivalent.

The district’s graduation rate is higher than the statewide average of 79 percent, however the state has seen an increase in the rate for five years. Additionally, the statewide dropout rate fell to a record low of 2 percent. Osceola has a 1.4 percent dropout rate.

“Our work does not end here. It is vital we continue to gain ground, close our achievement gap faster than any other state in the nation and provide our students with the skills to be successful in the 21st century economy, whether through college or career training,” Education Commissioner Eric J. Smith said. “I am confident that Florida is on the right path and thankful for our great educators who are leading the way in our classrooms.”

Since the 1998-99 school year, Florida has employed a graduation data collection system that tracks students from ninth grade to graduation. Florida is the only state to calculate graduation rates this way, according to the DOE.

Additionally, in September 2009, the Florida State Board of Education approved a new formula for grading high schools by including graduation rates. The formula uses standard and specialized diplomas but not GEDs.

“Florida’s improved graduation rate clearly shows that our reform efforts are making a difference in our schools, and most importantly, for our students,” Gov. Charlie Crist said. “I applaud our students, parents, teachers and school leaders for their hard work and significant improvement.”