Section 7-203.2 - Collection, maintenance, analysis, and report of graduation records.
§ 7-203.2. Collection, maintenance, analysis, and report of graduation records.
(a) Definitions.-
(1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2) (i) "Four-year cohort" means a group of students who enter ninth grade together.
(ii) "Four-year cohort" also includes a student who:
1. Transfers into the group:
A. During the ninth grade of the group's first year in high school;
B. During the tenth grade of the group's second year in high school;
C. During the eleventh grade of the group's third year in high school; or
D. During the twelfth grade of the group's fourth year in high school;
2. Is retained in grade; or
3. Is enrolled in a GED program.
(iii) "Four-year cohort" does not include a student who:
1. Dies before graduation;
2. Transfers out of the group; or
3. The county board confirms has permanently left the United States.
(iv) Students retained in grade are only counted once as members of their original cohort.
(3) "Graduation rate" means the percentage obtained from applying the graduation rate formula.
(4) (i) "Graduation rate formula" means the number of students who graduate on time with a Maryland high school diploma divided by the number of students in the four-year cohort.
(ii) "Graduation rate formula" does not include students who graduate on time with a GED or other certificate not aligned with State standards.
(5) (i) "On time" means on or before the conclusion of a four-year cohort's fourth year of high school.
(ii) "On time" includes a senior summer session in a jurisdiction that offers senior summer sessions.
(6) (i) "Transfer out" means a student who the county board confirms, via written documentation, has enrolled in another high school or other educational program from which that student is expected to receive a Maryland high school diploma.
(ii) "Transfer out" does not include a student enrolled in:
1. A GED program; or
2. An alternative education program that does not issue or provide credits toward a Maryland high school diploma.
(b) Purpose.- The purpose of this section is to:
(1) Initiate a process by which the State may achieve the goal of collecting, maintaining, analyzing, and publicly reporting data relating to the graduation rates of students in public high schools as an essential step in addressing gaps in educational achievement among a diverse student population; and
(2) Explicitly delineate the duties and responsibilities of the Department and the county boards in this regard.
(c) In general.-
(1) Beginning on or before September 1, 2011, and each year thereafter, a county board shall:
(i) Collect, maintain, and analyze graduation rates for public schools, local school systems, and the State; and
(ii) Report the information required under item (i) of this paragraph to:
1. The public in the aggregate and disaggregated by American Indian, African American, Hispanic, White, Asian/Pacific Islander, students who are limited English proficient, students who receive free and reduced priced meals, and students who receive special education services; and
2. The Department.
(2) Beginning on or before October 1, 2011, and each year thereafter, the Department shall:
(i) Compile the information received under paragraph (1) of this subsection and calculate a graduation rate for the State; and
(ii) Post the information obtained under this subsection for each county on its website in the aggregate and disaggregated by American Indian, African American, Hispanic, White, Asian/Pacific Islander, students who are limited English proficient, students who receive free and reduced priced meals, and students who receive special education services.
(d) Development of additional indicators.-
(1) The county boards and the Department may develop and implement additional indicators to collect, maintain, analyze, and publicly report data regarding alternative high school completions.
(2) The Department shall ensure that the information collected under paragraph (1) of this subsection is comparable for public schools and local school systems in the State.
(e) Duties of Department.- The Department shall:
(1) Implement training for administrators and other personnel responsible for collecting, maintaining, analyzing, and publicly reporting data regarding four-year cohorts and graduation rates;
(2) Implement a standard process for verifying the accuracy of data including:
(i) Statistical checks and analyses; and
(ii) On-site audits of record-keeping procedures;
(3) Implement a public awareness campaign including outreach to civic associations, community-based groups, and parent organizations and the solicitation of suggestions and community support regarding the need for collecting, maintaining, analyzing, and publicly reporting accurate data regarding four-year cohorts and graduation rates;
(4) Provide technical support to the county boards with collecting, maintaining, analyzing, and publicly reporting graduation rate data; and
(5) Serve as a central repository for this data.
(f) Reports.-
(1) On or before November 1 of each year, the State Board shall report to the Governor and, subject to § 2-1246 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly, regarding:
(i) The implementation of this section;
(ii) Statistical analyses and data verification processes developed under this section; and
(iii) Discrepancies discovered while collecting, maintaining, analyzing, and publicly reporting the information required under this section.
(2) The report required under this subsection shall be posted on the Department's website.
[2006, chs. 229, 558.]