The Virginia On-Time Graduation Rate is based on four years of longitudinal student-level data in the commonwealth’s Educational Information Management System. Unlike estimates used in the past, the Virginia On-Time Graduation Rate takes into consideration student mobility, changes in student enrollment, policy and instructional practices such as 9th-grade retention. The new formula also recognizes that some students with disabilities and limited English proficient (LEP) students are allowed more than the standard four years to earn a diploma and are still counted as ‘on-time’ graduates.

OGR equals [on-time graduates in year x] divided by [(first-time entering 9th graders in year x minus 4) plus (transfers in) minus (transfers out)].

OGR Graduates are defined as students who earn Advanced Studies, Standard, Modified Standard, Special and General Achievement Diplomas. On-time graduates are graduates who earn diplomas within four years of the first time they entered the 9th grade. Special education students and limited English students who have plans in place that allow them more time to graduate will be assigned to different cohorts. Deceased students will be counted among transfers out in the denominator, while incarcerated students will be counted as transfers as they leave and re-enter the system.

In January 2010, the Virginia Board of Education submitted to USED proposed changes to its federal accountability workbook to meet the federal graduation rate requirements of the October 2008 regulations.

FGI equals [on-time graduates in year x] divided by [(first-time entering 9th graders in year x minus 4) plus (transfers in) minus (transfers out)].

FGI graduates are defined as students who earn Advanced Studies, Standard, or IB Diplomas. On-time graduates earn one of these three diplomas within four years of the first time they entered the 9th grade. Unlike the OGR, special education students and limited English students who have plans in place that allow them more time to graduate will not be re-assigned to different cohorts.

The Virginia Graduation and Completion Index is a Board of Education approved formula that calculates a weighted percent of the students within a given cohort who graduate, complete, or stay in school each year. It also incorporates outcomes for students who remain in school beyond their “on-time” graduation year.

The GCI equals [weighted values for cohort & carryover diploma graduates, GEDs, and still-enrolled non-completers in year X] divided by [{(first-time entering 9th graders in year x minus 4) plus (transfers in) minus (transfers out)} plus carryover students]

GCI Graduates are defined as students who earn Advanced Studies, Standard, Modified Standard, Special and General Achievement Diplomas.

Public high school graduate and completer data are collected on an annual basis during the fall.  Each division submits school-level data for the combined regular and summer terms.  The data are then compiled and division and state totals are calculated.

Understanding High School Graduates and Completers Reports
A graduate may receive one of the following documents:

• Standard Diploma
• Advanced Studies Diploma (count includes those students who receive the International Baccalaureate Diploma
• Special Diploma for students with a disability who complete the requirements of their individualized education programs (IEP)
• Modified Standard Diploma
• General Achievement Diploma (GAD)

A completer may receive:

• Certificate of Program Completion for students who complete a prescribed course of study, defined by a local school board, but do not qualify for a diploma
• GED Certificate for students who receive a GED (General Educational Development) Certificate
• ISAEP for students who receive a General Educational Development (GED) Certificate as a part of an ISAEP

Graduates and completers may provide one of six areas of intended plans upon graduation:

• Four-year college plans student plans to attend a four-year accredited college or university
• Two-year college plans student plans to attend a two-year or community college
• Other plans student plans to attend a business school, trade/technical school or participate in an apprenticeship program
• No continuing education plans student provides no further education plans upon graduation
• Military student plans to serve in the military
• Employment student plans to go into the workforce