STATE SUPERINTENDENT JUNE ATKINSON KICKS OFF
GRADUATION AWARENESS WEEK

PAMLICO COUNTY SCHOOLS ONE OF TEN DISCTRICTS RECOGNIZED

State Superintendent June Atkinson wants to ensure that everyone gets the message: graduate from high school and prepare for success in life. That was the theme for last week's kickoff event for Graduation Awareness Week, which featured awards to 10 school districts and 17 high schools with high graduation rates.

In addition to the awards ceremony, key leaders representing education associations, community groups, business and industry and the faith-based community signed a Call to Action and pledged to work throughout North Carolina to raise awareness of the importance of high school graduation.

"High school graduation is a minimum goal today," Atkinson said in a news conference. "It's the basic level of education that adults need, but too many of our young people are not getting that minimum. My message to students is simple. Graduate from high school and be ready to chart the course you want for your life."

Atkinson said sending that message to students is only one part of the equation. Schools and communities also need to ensure that they are supporting students and their families and eliminating barriers to school success. Research shows that students benefit from smaller learning environments, opportunities to build relationships with their teachers and other adult leaders in their schools, rigorous and focused academics and support that helps them overcome setbacks in their school career.

            North Carolina's statewide cohort graduation rate for 2008 was 70 percent, a rate that has improved slightly since 2006 when the state first reported a four-            year cohort rate.   Pamlico County Schools has the third highest graduation rate in the state.  Cathy Dunbar, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction stated, "We are extremely proud of the commitment our teachers, administrators, parents, and community leaders have made to ensure that every student graduates from high school in four years.   More importantly, we are pleased with the efforts and determination of our students to stay in school and graduate with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in life."

Some schools and districts have created environments in which most, or even all, students are successfully graduating in four years or less. Educators from these schools and districts were recognized by Atkinson and State Board of Education Chairman Howard Lee at the kickoff event and received certificates acknowledging their achievements. Recipients are as follows:

Top 10 School Districts

·         Elkin City Schools - 89.4 percent

·         Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools - 87.9 percent

·         Pamlico County Schools - 85.5 percent

·         Dare County Schools - 85.3 percent

·         Camden County Schools - 81.8 percent

·         Alleghany County Schools - 81.6 percent

·         Catawba County Schools - 81.2 percent

·         Newton-Conover Schools - 81.0 percent

·         Mount Airy City Schools - 81.0 percent

·         Ashe County Schools - 80.9 percent

For more information about the kickoff event, please call the NC Department of Public Instruction's Communication division at 919.807.3450.