×

Task Force Hears About Graduation Rates, Student Attendance

The Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative task force heard from two Jamestown Public Schools administrators about school issues dealing with poverty.

On Wednesday, the task force heard from Tim Mains, Jamestown Public Schools superintendent, and Mike McElrath, Jamestown High School principal, about high school graduation rates and student attendance.

Mains first talked about school district demographics. He said 5,000 students go to Jamestown Public Schools, with 75 percent qualifying for a free lunch. He said on the state wealth index, Jamestown is ranked 661 of 667 school districts.

Mains said 23 percent of Jamestown students don’t graduate in four years, and that the rate is steadily increasing. He added 30 percent of those who don’t graduate on time live in poverty; 50 percent are Hispanic; and 63 percent are students with disabilities. Mains said only 33 percent of students who do graduate in four years are prepared for college.

The main reason graduates rates are low is because of attendance, Mains said. He said they have programs in place to try and increase attendance. McElrath talked about how they have after-school support, mental health services and competitions available to try and encourage students to attend school. Mains said district officials also have increased pre-kindergarten classes, behavioral support, launched new partnerships and are using a community schools approach to increase graduation rates and attendance.

Mains said the lack of attendance shows prevalently in two areas – pre-kindergarten to first grade and in the high school. Sam Teresi, Jamestown mayor, then asked why isn’t kindergarten mandatory in New York state. Mains said they would like their kindergarten attendance rates to be around 95 percent. However, he said they are between 86 to 89 percent.

”This is the foundation for performance there after,” Teresi said about getting children to school at an early age.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today