Grim Graduation Data Pleases Board

I love this!  It looks like the new superintendent in Hartford is REALLY shaking things up!  And, as odd as this sounds at first, it's GREAT news that the school board is "gleeful" about Hartford's 29% (!) graduation rate.

Here's my friend's email:

Whitney, I promised to keep you up to speed on what is going on in Hartford. In a word - PROMISING!.

So far, so good with new Supt. Steve Adamowski. Read the Courant article about how he exposes the REAL graduation rate in Hartford.

Every urban district messes around with its published graduation/drop-out numbers by not counting the kids who "transfer" to adult ed. In reality, this option is over rated, unconfirmed, and represents a huge fudge factor. We should push districts to adopt Adamowski's formula so that the public understands the depth of the problem.

Best thing though, is the gleeful reaction of the district board. This is such a good sign that the powers are lined up to support Adamowski's brand of tough medicine.

Grim Graduation Data Pleases Board

By Rachel Gottlieb, Hartford Courant, December 20, 2006

After years of Hartford school board members asking for numbers that reflect the city's actual graduation rate, the new superintendent delivered the news Tuesday: 29 percent.