Dropout Prevention and Recovery Work Group

presented by Dr. Mitchell D. Chester, January 2009

Mitchell Chester, Massachusetts Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, opened with a focus on graduation rates for Massachusetts students. Despite a slight increase in graduation rates, he said, disaggregated data show that students with limited English proficiency, from low-income households, or in Special Education—and boys in all population groups— graduate at lower rates. Massachusetts will begin tracking students’ five- and six-year graduation rates, Chester said, citing a six-point increase in graduation when five-year figures are included. Pointing to the “ninth grade bubble”—students who are academically unprepared and end up repeating ninth grade, often more than once—he called for swift interventions for ninth graders who struggle.

Approximate run time: 25 minutes