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Power of community aims to make good graduation rate - great
Originally published on: October 19, 2009
 Community members listened to Lincoln Public Schools Superintendent Susan Gourley begin a conversation about high school graduation rates. |
In the first citywide initiative of its kind, the community of Lincoln sat down to talk about high school graduation at Lincoln Public Schools (LPS).
“I believe this Community Conversation is the most critical and most powerful initiative we are undertaking this year at Lincoln Public Schools,” Superintendent Susan Gourley told a crowd of more than 160 people meeting at Lincoln High School.
LPS will serve almost 35,000 students this school year – a number that includes 2,715 high school seniors. About 80 percent of those seniors will graduate on time. About 10 percent will come back as fifth year seniors – numbers that do not count in the official graduation rate. And about 10 percent will drop out of school.
“The graduation rate at LPS is well above the national average,” Gourley said. “We have a good graduation rate, a very good graduation rate. But it is not good enough for Lincoln Public Schools. We want a great graduation rate.”
However, many common factors that interfere with high school graduation go beyond the classroom, according to Marilyn Moore, Associate Superintendent. She cited issues such as family support systems, poverty, mental health issues, problems with drug and alcohol, and additional community and societal challenges.
Moore pointed to recent research indicating three factors that require community-wide solutions: involvement with the juvenile justice system, alcohol and drug issues, and problems with mental health.
“You have come here tonight because you care about these students,” Moore said. “I want to thank you for being part of this conversation.”
Following presentations, participants identified key questions to answer for solving the graduation issue. A second Community Conversation will be held Thursday, Nov. 5 to develop
Recommendations.
"All of you here provide inspiration - for all of us to join together – collectively," Gourley concluded, "and build an even better future for our children and for generations to come."
The event was sponsored by the LPS Board of Education, the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools and United Way of Lincoln-Lancaster County, with additional support from more than 30 community organizations. Leadership Lincoln facilitated.
