INFORMATIONAL LETTER:  28

POLICY CODE:  BA

 

TO:                  Superintendents of Schools in Selected School Districts

 

FROM:            Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner

 

DATE:             September 9, 2004

                                            

SUBJECT:       A Post-School Outcomes Study

  

The Department is funding a study to determine the status of regular education and special education students after one year of leaving high school and to provide an analysis of the relationship between students’ school experiences, exit status and post-school outcomes.  The study involves obtaining school exit data on those students who will exit school either by graduating, reaching the maximum age, dropping-out, or earning a certificate of completion, and then conducting a follow-up survey on the same students six months to a year later.  

The preliminary results show that 58% of the 2002-03 exiting students from 38 participating LEAs (357 student responses) are currently in post-secondary school.  74% of the exiting students state they have a paying job now.  Of those employed 76% report that they are paid more than minimum wage.  This data was collected over a two-year period with the goal of trying to help LEAs understand the relationship between a students school experiences, exit status, and their post-school outcomes.  If you would like a copy of the final results, please contact Karen Gorris-Hicock at the Maine Transition Network ( kghicock@mainetransiton.org ).

 

The second year of the study will include the 38 SAUs that participated last year plus an additional 40.  Your LEA is invited to participate in this unique and informative study.  Please call Maine Transition Network to sign up and receive a packet of survey materials (207-621-9878 or 1-800-328-9549).

 

LEAs which participated in the study during 2002-03

 

Acton School Department

Augusta Public Schools

Bath School Department

Biddeford School Department

Glenburn School Department

Gorham School Department

Lisbon School Department

Monmouth School Department

MSAD 4

MSAD 10

MSAD 11

MSAD 13

MSAD 14

MSAD 16

MSAD 20

MSAD 21

MSAD 25

MSAD 27

MSAD 29

MSAD 33

MSAD 40

MSAD 44

MSAD 51

MSAD 52

MSAD 63

MSAD 68

MSAD 71

MSAD 77

Perry School Department

Portland Public Schools

South Portland School Department

Union 49

Union 93

Union 106

Union 107

Westport School Department

Windham School Department

York School Department

 

For additional information, please contact Pam Rosen or Dana Duncan at 624-6650, or e-mail them at pam.rosen@maine.gov or dana.duncan@maine.gov.

 

SAG/PCR/gdw