Poster #2 - The Odds of Not Graduating From High School: A Demographic Analysis

• In Event: 34.099 - MTCC Poster Session Seven
  In Poster Session: 34.099-1 - Conceptualizations and Consequences of Accountability

Abstract

In order to assess progress toward our district’s strategic goal of 95% graduation rate by 2020, this study analyzed the influence of demographic factors on the odds of not graduating from high school in four years. The dataset included over 30,000 students in three cohorts from 2015 to 2017. Using logistic regression, we predicted the log odds of failure to graduate, regressed on gender, ethnicity, economically disadvantaged status, special education status, and English language learner status. Results indicate that the district has made progress in reducing the odds for some demographic groups but significant gaps remain by gender and other factors. For example, boys’ odds of not graduating were 52%, 90%, and 95% higher than girls over the three years.

Authors

• Roger Regan, Wake County Public School System

• Anisa Clair Rhea, Data, Research, and Accountability Dept/Wake County Public School System

• Meghan Scrimgeour, Wake County Public School System

• Malkeet Singh, Wake County Public School System