San Diego Unified School District: Building Paths to Graduation for Every Student
How San Diego Unified School District is Closing High School Graduation Gaps
Education Resource Strategies, April 30, 2019
Common Challenge
High School Graduation Gaps
In 2014, black and Latinx students and English-learners who attended San Diego Unified were significantly less likely to graduate than their peers, and many students whodidgraduate did not leave the district with a postsecondary plan. Despite tight resources due to years of budget cuts, district leaders were determined to do better.
San Diego’s Approach
Closing High School Graduation Gaps by Expanding Equitable Access to Coursework
To transform graduation patterns, the district expanded equitable access to coursework, tackled the longstanding practices and mindsets that limited students’ opportunities, and leveraged community resources to help all students develop a meaningful postsecondary plan for themselves.
San Diego’s Results
Closing High School Graduation Gaps and Helping Students Develop More Meaningful Postsecondary Plans
Three years later,all students who graduate have passed the course requirements for entry into the University of California system. 9 percent more black students and 10 percent more Latinx students were on track to graduate in 2016 than in 2014, and an increasing number of students are exploring postsecondary options.
Dig Deeper
Access tangible materials—such as templates and tools—that leaders in San Diego Unified School Disrict used to close high school graduation gaps.
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School districts across the country struggle with systemic challenges, such as increasingly rigorous academic standards, more varied student needs, and persistent achievement gaps. The Districts at Work series of case studies shares specific examples from districts that are taking a new approach to these types of systemic challenges—and seeing exciting results.