State to review graduation rates at alternative schools

Florida Board of Education members said Wednesday morning they support the state’s review of graduation rates at alternative schools like an Orange County school that a national news story described as a dumping ground for struggling students.

A ProPublica story last month reported that alternative schools like Sunshine High School near Orlando are “release valves,” taking in students unlikely to graduate on time to improve traditional high schools’ graduation rate.

Gary Chartrand, a member of the state board of education, described the claim as a “very serious allegation” and said he wanted to hear a report on the matter as quickly as possible.

The department will look specifically at students who transfer to alternative schools.

“It’s critical that every decision is made with the best interest of the students in mind,” Florida Education Commissioner Pam Stewart said Wednesday.

She said she’ll present to the findings to the board in the future, though she didn’t specify a date.

Chair Marva Johnson said she would like the review to include historic data. She said she also wanted the department to review the overall effectiveness of alternative schools.

Board member Michael Olenick agreed, saying “without question, they serve a purpose.”

Last fall, the DOE contacted 10 districts that reported 10 percent or more of their students who did not earn standard diplomas and did not meet state assessment graduation requirements and who transferred to private schools during their senior years. The department said earlier this month it will add alternative schools to the review. None of the districts included in the initial review were in Central Florida.

Orange County school district Superintendent Barbara Jenkins said last week she hasn’t found any evidence that traditional high schools forced students to transfer to alternative charter schools.

School board members voted last month to renew the contract of Sunshine High School.