It isn’t by accident Manteca Unified’s graduation rate of 92.7 percent is higher than both the San Joaquin County average of 90.9 percent and the statewide average of 91.5 percent.
It reflects everything from a concerted effort to focus on — and monitor — student progress to remedial programs before school, after school, or during lunch periods to help students that need to catch up on credits.
And when students come close but don’t make the cut in time to walk with their class, the district goes one step further — they offer a summer program that can be completed before the clock runs out to complete work needed to earn a high school diploma.
That extra step is something that most other districts don’t do.
The reason is simple. The cost of the instruction is not reimbursable by the state.
Clara Schmiedt, Manteca Unified’s Director of Secondary Education, pointed out students don’t get to walk with their class, but if they complete the necessary work this summer, they will earn a high school diploma.
This year they effort is expected to help 10 students districtwide earn their diploma.
While that might not seem like a big number, Schmiedt said every student that crosses the finish line is a big deal.
A high school diploma can open more doors than passing a GED (General Education Development) test.
As such, it delivers the best outcome on what is more than a $150,000 investment by California taxpayers in educating a student from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Interchangeable campuses
While the 92.7 percent graduation rate is solid, Schmiedt said she is even more proud of the district’s five comprehensive high schools having graduation rates ranging from 92.4 percent to 94.5 percent.
That’s because Manteca Unified has worked hard to assure parity or equal opportunities at all five campuses in terms of curriculum, support materials, facility and support staff, and facilities.
It is not uncommon within school districts in California to see high schools performing with large gaps between each other including graduation rates that reflect the number of students that have met or exceeded basic state educational goals.
And that parity is more than just a campus versus campus basis.
“When we examine our student groups, we do not see significant caps, which reflects a more equitable outcome across our system,” Schmiedt said.
The graduation rate for continuation high schools — New Vision High in Weston Ranch and Calla High in Manteca — is 81 percent to 87 percent.
Manteca Unified, as well as virtually every other district in California, used to have higher graduation rates.
The state, a few years ago, changed rules that required tracking to make sure every student that has dropped off enrollment rolls enrolled elsewhere — charter schools, other public schools in state or out of state, private schools, or home schooling — ultimately graduates at the end of what would have been their 13th year of public schooling.
“While maintaining a graduation rate above county and state averages is encouraging, our focus goes beyond students simply receiving a diploma — we are committed to ensuring every student graduates truly prepared for college, career, and life after high school,” Schmiedt noted.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
