Drop-Outs

Who is a dropout?
A dropout is an individual who:

• Was enrolled in school at some time during the previous school year and was not enrolled on October 1 of the current school year, or
• Was not enrolled on October 1 of the previous school year although expected to be in membership; and
• Has not graduated from high school or completed a state- or district-approved educational program; and
• Does not meet any of the following exclusionary conditions:
• Transfer to another public school district, private school, or state- or district-approved education program;
• Temporary school-recognized absence due to suspension or illness;
• Death.

How are dropouts counted in calculating the Virginia On-Time Graduation Rate?
Dropouts are not counted as transfers out and remain in the denominator when calculating the Virginia On-Time Graduation Rate.

Can the dropout rate for a school or division be determined from its graduation rate?
No. The dropout rate is not the inverse of the graduation rate. Cohort dropout rates for 2008 for schools, divisions and the commonwealth will be calculated and reported in early 2009.

The 2006-07 Dropout Rate is detailed below. The date from 2006-07 is the latest information available from the state.