Instructional
Solutions Pay Off with AYP Results, Reduced Dropouts
The Challenge
- With a dropout rate
of almost 60 percent, and no college-bound culture within the community,
overall achievement levels at Chattooga High School were low. The school knew
it had to take action to give students in its rural, largely disadvantaged community
better options for postsecondary success.
The Solution
- Chattooga began by
offering Ramp-Up to Advanced Literacy and Ramp-Up to Algebra in the 2004–05
school year, then implemented the full America’s Choice School Design in the
2005–06 school year. In doing so, the
high school joined the elementary and middle schools in the district that had
already adopted the America’s Choice design, which created a K–12 district wide
solution that involved the entire community.
The Results
- Chattooga experienced
a nearly 20 percent increase in its graduation rate between 2004 and 2006.
- Designated as a
school “in need of improvement” in 2004–05, the school made AYP in 2005–06 by
improving the percentage of students meeting and exceeding standards on the
Georgia High School Graduation Tests for 11th graders.
- Gains made by
students with disabilities, who averaged 12 percent of the test-taking
population, were particularly notable.
- In addition to test
score gains and improved graduation rates, the school has improved attendance
and reduced disciplinary issues.
School Snapshot
Chattooga High School
Chattooga County School District
- Rural
- Grades 9–12
- 740
students
- 59
percent economically disadvantaged
- 22
percent special needs students
80
percent white
- 15
percent African American
- 2
percent Hispanic
Student Performances Rises in All Subjects on Graduation Tests
Students with Disabilities Improve on Graduation Tests
In Two Years, Graduation Rate Jumps Almost 20 Percent
