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Last Updated on Friday, March 02, 2012 at 11:01 AM

Persistence to Graduation Data, Tools and Resources.

Legislation was passed in Kentucky in 2000 relating to the reduction of the numbers and rates of students dropping out in Kentucky and strategies for schools and districts to use to keep kids in school:

Annual Dropout Rates for Kentucky school districts:

Kentucky uses the NCES definition for calculating dropouts and this data is collected in at the student level through a district upload file in the Nonacademic web application. Kentucky’s dropout rates are calculated on October 1st of every year and lag one year behind (dropout data is for the previous school year).

Dropout Rates by School and District for Grades 9-12 (Five year trend, 2007)

Dropout Rates by District for Grades 7-12 (Five year trend, 2007)

KRS 158.145 describes the factors that may lead to dropping out, and the negative consequences of dropping out to the people of Kentucky, not just to the dropouts themselves. It also sets goals for school districts to aim for, regarding dropout statistics and rates.
KRS 158.146 addresses statewide strategies and resources available from KDE to help districts address their dropout problems, including the awards of Dropout Prevention Grants. With roughly one third of the nation’s expected graduates dropping out of school, with the most common reason being failing grades, dropout prevention and recovery, and reconnection through literacy efforts must become a top priority of public school districts. Effective dropout prevention efforts are comprehensive, youth-centered, flexible, intentional, practical, and administered by committed adults. KDE awards funds in two-year cycles through a competitive grant process, eligible to all districts. Priority is given to districts with high dropout rates, in order to place the funds in areas with the most need. Kentucky has awarded $684,899.45 per year in dropout prevention grants for the current two-year grant cycle, 2008-2010.
KRS 159.010 describes the compulsory attendance law in Kentucky, and a school district’s required efforts (within 3 months of dropping out) to encourage 16-18 year old dropouts to return to school or find alternative means to complete their education.
FAQ’s on Persistence to Graduation:
No Pass/No Drive Initiative: KRS 159.051 KRS 159.051, the No Pass, No Drive law, was passed during the 2007 legislative session, and affects every public and private school in Kentucky. The No Pass, No Drive law does not apply to any student who received his/her driver's license or permit prior to August 1, 2007. Schools will use academic and attendance data from the previous semester of the school year to determine whether a 16 and 17-year-old student is compliant with the law and eligible to drive. The Dropout Prevention Branch at KDE has created a PowerPoint presentation to explain requirements of the law. A list of frequently asked questions is included at the end of the PowerPoint presentation.

For more information contact:

Libby Taylor
500 Mero Street, 19th Floor CPT
Frankfort, KY 40601

Phone: 502-564-4772

libby.taylor@education.ky.gov

Kentucky Department of Education

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