OXNARD : Dropout Rate Falls 9% in School District

The dropout rate in the Oxnard Union High School District has declined by more than 9% during a five-year period, although the number of dropouts last year rose slightly compared to the previous year, district officials said.

According to a staff report reviewed by district board members Wednesday, 1,312 students, or 11.7%, dropped out of the district’s six schools and an independent program in 1985.

Last year, 272 students, or 2.45%, dropped out, compared to 259 students, or 2.33%, the previous year. District enrollment for the past two years has been about 11,000.

“We’ve had three years of holding the rate between 2% and 3%, and we’re very encouraged by that,” Assistant Supt. Gary Davis said.

District officials have credited several programs, including placing psychologists on each campus full time, enhancing student self-esteem, having smaller classes in English, math and science, and offering independent study for students who are pregnant, working or who have other special needs.