Report card: Cape Girardeau School District down in nearly every category

2008 was a rough year for the Cape Girardeau School District.

The district's graduation rate fell while the dropout rate rose, the average ACT score fell -- although a lower percentage of students took the test -- and fewer graduates entered a four-year college.

In nearly every category on the district's 2007-2008 report card, released last week by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the district fared worse than the year before.

On a brighter side, the district remains above the state average for the percent of students seeking postsecondary education and for its average ACT score. The district also spends less per pupil than the state average.

The results came as no surprise to superintendent Dr. Jim Welker, who started in July.

"The one thing that really jumps out -- and we've known about for some time -- is that we need to work on the graduation rate. We need to get that up to at least the state average, and really we'd like it to be higher than that," he said.

He listed a string of programs the district has implemented to address the issue, including hiring a social worker, who contacts students who have withdrawn; expanding the Alternative Education Center, where students can go to catch up on credits; starting a "freshman watch" program to monitor students who were not successful in eighth grade; and beginning Preparing for Academic Success classes at the high school. The PAS classes offer a time for tutoring and development of career and graduation plans.

The graduation rate became a focal point at the last board meeting, when some board members, lamenting that the rate has been much discussed but has improved little, suggested conducting a curriculum audit to identify ways to improve.

Shifting demographics may be affecting the academic preparedness of students, said Kyle McDonald, president of the school board. More than half of students are now considered low income, measured by the percent of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. The percentage has increased from 43 percent in 2004 to 54 percent last school year.

"If we can address those students more effectively, I think we can achieve our goal. ... I think that's why the pre-K programs are very important. The younger we can impact the students, the more prepared they will be," McDonald said.

The district has slowly but consistently bled students, one of Welker's concerns he hopes has stabilized. Enrollment is down about 5 percent from 2004.

McDonald and Welker were pleased with the percentage of graduates continuing their education. The slumping economy may have influenced more graduates to steer away from four-year universities and look for less expensive options. Community colleges and technical institutions absorbed some of the students, where numbers reached five-year highs.

"Regardless of what their demographic is, we want and have to help all children be successful," Welker said.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

388-3627

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