SFUSD's dropout programs

There is no secret ("SFUSD's Secret?," 2/25/04). The San Francisco Unified School District is aptly concerned about the student dropout rate, particularly among Black and Latino students. Any allusion to the contrary is ill-informed.

Rather, the district has marshaled various interventions to tackle the issue. They include:

• A broad-based community group – the Stay in School Coalition created in February 2003 – charged with identifying and implementing successful strategies to improve student attendance.

• The district's Dropout Prevention Office works vigorously with parents/guardians and students to negotiate options and decide on the best placement for the students to succeed.

Further, the district was well within the legal time frame to respond to the reporter's voluminous Public Information Request. Throughout the entire process, the district was in constant communication with the reporter, who indicated that her time frame to receive the requested information was flexible.

The district provided the Bay Guardian with its official dropout statistics, which were very slightly different than the figures indicated in another document which reported preliminary dropout figures. (The preliminary figures indicated 784 dropouts, which was reduced to 770 students based on additional information.) It is misleading and irresponsible for the Bay Guardian to conclude that, on the basis of this small and appropriate adjustment, "the district doesn't have a solid handle on the numbers."

Sup. Arlene Ackerman has frequently highlighted the importance of keeping young people in school and ensuring regular attendance by strengthening curricular offerings, counseling, and after-school activities – not just preventing dropouts. School board members have also highlighted the disproportionately high dropout rates among Black, Latino, Pacific Islander, and Native American students.

The New York Times recently reported that Black and Latino students in New York are less likely to finish high school on time than their counterparts anywhere else in the nation.

The district, community leaders, elected officials, and others are working hard to counter increasing dropout rates in our schools. A major, long-term commitment will be required – one that we are prepared to make. On that, there is no secret.

Dr. Dan Kelly President, San Francisco Board of Education
San Francisco

Tali Woodward responds: I began asking the SFUSD about dropouts in late January. At the district's urging, I submitted a written request for dropout information Jan. 30. I indicated that I was open to narrowing the request but that I would like the basic data by Feb. 4. The SFUSD sent me a letter Feb. 9 stating it would need a legal extension allowed in special circumstances. After more phone calls, the district made some documents available to me Feb. 13, though they did not respond to portions of my request.

The documents the district gave me showed substantially different numbers than those contained in an internal district memo I had obtained from another source. The SFUSD did not explain those inconsistencies by press time but has since raised questions about the numbers from the memo.

All of the documents, however, confirm that there has been a recent surge in dropout numbers. According to annual reports provided by the district, for instance, there were 502 dropouts in 2001-02 and 770 in 20-03. That's an increase of 53 percent.

As I noted in the story, SFUSD administrators say this increase may be due to a more concerted tracking effort.

Nancy Pelosi's war votes

Regarding Representative Pelosi: In your very important endorsement issue, you state as one of the reasons you cannot endorse her, "she voted for a resolution endorsing the war" [Endorsements, 02/18/04]. While you might have a Pavlovian response against her, you still should get your facts straight and give credit where credit is due. Pelosi indeed lead the minority in fighting against the authorization for war in Iraq and was instrumental in whipping many votes to her view. A correction and apology is in order.

Marc Huestis
San Francisco