Secondary School Completion and Dropouts in Texas Public Schools: 2008-2009 Page: II

                                
Texas Education Agency
Robert Scott, Commissioner of Education
Lizzette Reynolds, Deputy Commissioner for Statewide Policy and Programs
Department of Assessment, Accountability, and Data Quality
Criss Cloudt, Associate Commissioner
Office of Data Development, Analysis, and Research
Patricia Sullivan, Deputy Associate Commissioner
Division of Accountability Research
Linda Roska, Director
Citation. Texas Education Agency. (2010). Secondary school completion and dropouts in Texas
public schools, 2008-09 (Document No. GE10 601 08). Austin, TX: Author.
Abstract. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) prepares an annual report on graduates and dropouts
in Texas public secondary schools. This report includes state summaries of the annual dropout rate,
longitudinal graduation, completion, and dropout rates, and state attrition rates. In addition to
statewide statistics, the report provides historical information about dropout policy in Texas and the
evolution of the dropout definition used for accountability purposes. Common methods of measuring
student progress through school are discussed, along with advantages and disadvantages associated
with each measure. Extensive background information on TEA data collection, processing, and
reporting is presented, and national requirements for dropout data are described.
Keywords. Secondary education, high school completion, dropouts, annual dropout rate,
longitudinal dropout rate, completion rate, graduation rate, attrition rate, Grades 7-12, Grades 7-8,
Grades 9-12.
Additional copies of this document may be purchased using the order form in the back of
this publication. Also, the report is available in PDF format on the agency website at
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index4.aspx?id=4080. Additional information about this report may be
obtained by contacting the Texas Education Agency Division of Accountability Research by phone
at (512) 475-3523 or by e-mail at research@tea.state.tx.us.

Copyright  Notice. The materials are copyrighted  and trademarked TM as the property of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and
may not be reproduced without the express written permission of TEA, except under the following conditions: (1) Texas public school
districts, charter schools, and Education Service Centers may reproduce and use copies of the Materials and Related Materials for the
districts' and schools' educational use without obtaining permission from TEA; (2) residents of the state of Texas may reproduce and use
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and distribution may be charged. Private entities or persons located in Texas that are not Texas public school districts, Texas Education
Service Centers, or Texas charter schools or any entity, whether public or private, educational or non-educational, located outside the state
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