State of Hamilton County Schools: Good, But Graduation Rates A Concern

Hamilton County needs to see more students walking the line to get a diploma.  While the school system continues to meet most state benchmarks for student achievement, graduation rates remain a cause of concern.  Superintendent Jim Scales says "graduation rate is sort of the alligator in the swamp for us, we've got to do better graduating youngsters from high school."

The state only gives the county four years and a summer to graduate a student, once they start 9th grade.  Otherwise, they're considered a dropout... even if they earn a diploma later. Hamilton County PTA President Tim Hixson says "we're going to have to improve on our attendance, that's one thing. I know we're doing well, but if your not in school then your not going to get... Not going to learn."

In 2006, nearly 76% of Hamilton County students graduated, but that number dipped in 2007, and dropped to 72.5% last school year.  Scales believes the problem stems from 20-year old high school students, who entered the school system at a disadvantage.  "So if he or she is repeating kindergarten again, now they're 6 years old, and then if they hit middle school and get retained again they're two years behind."

The state's goal for graduation remains 90% by 2012.  Systems not meeting that goal may be subject to sanctions, under the BEP 2.0 revision.

Scales also sees others challenges ahead, like small schools and aging infrastructure.  He prefers a targeted building plan, instead of redistricting.  "That pulls out a lot of emotions, sending kids from one school to another where they're comfortable, right now we don't really have a lot of schools with space so we can redistrict."

The system also must adjust how it projects enrollment, to better prepare for teachers needed to handle an in flux of students tied to Volkswagen related growth.