By Tom Mark

North Okanagan-Shuswap Graduation Rates Good, But Could Be Better

Mar 19, 2018 | 8:28 AM

The North Okanagan-Shuswap School District is going to put greater emphasis on tracking student achievement when it comes to graduation rates.

Studies of other school districts shows comprehensive tracking programs have substantially improved six year graduation rates.

Trustee Mike McKay says there is some work to do.

“Well, we want all kids to be successful. We want schools to have cultures where students have a sense of hope. They believe they can be successful. They can achieve graduation and beyond. We want teachers and other staff to be supporting that.”

McKay says moving forward it’s important to look at the impact program initiatives have.

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“If we’re doing some things around literacy and numeracy and social responsibility and student mental health etc. we should be seeing, with all of those efforts, some greater engagement with school and some greater success rates.”

McKay adds one goal is to improve the six year graduation rate and to close or eliminate the gap for indigenous students.

He says after looking at some of the districts that have achieved what he called spectacular results for all students graduating and for their indigenous population in particular, the district will want to lean in to what they’re doing, understand, recognize and probably, in many cases, reassure itself it is on the right track.

by Tom Mark