SPR: Understanding Retention Data

Cautions | Definitions | Calculating Rates | Sources of Data | Using WINSS

Cautions

In 2004-05, the School Performance Report Retention Collection was replaced by the Individual Student Enrollment System (ISES). Major changes were made in the way data were submitted, the criteria for counting retentions were made more explicit, and the formula for calculating retention rates changed. As a result:

• 2004-05 retention rates should be interpreted with caution because they rely on multiple data elements that were submitted in a new way in 2004. These data were not comprehensive and, consequently, did not reflect reality for some districts. Statewide rates were also significantly affected that year.
• 2005-06 ISES retention rates are believed to be more reliable than 2004-05 ISES retention rates. However, ISES implementation in some districts was more difficult than in other districts and there are likely to be some continuing data reliability issues in 2005-06.
• Due to ISES transition issues, increases and decreases in reported retention rates from 2003-04 to 2004-05 and 2004-05 to 2005-06 may not always reflect actual increases or decreases in these rates.
• Although criteria for counting retentions are less ambiguous than criteria used in the past, districts continue to have substantial flexibility to establish local grade level placement policies. Retention is an indicator of grade level progression and does not provide a comparable measure of student progress across districts.

How is retention defined?

Retention occurs when a student has not made sufficient progress over the course of the school year to be promoted to a higher grade level.

Prior to 2004-05, special provisions applied to counting retentions in high school grades. If at the end of any school year prior to 2004-05 a high school student had a deficit of credits equal to or more than one-seventh of the district's high school graduation requirement, the student was counted as a retention. The assumption is that at the end of a given school year, a student would have accumulated at least one fourth of the credits required to graduate. For example, if 20 credits are required to graduate, a student on track toward graduation in four years would have five credits at the end of his/her freshman year, ten credits at the end of his/her sophomore year, and 15 credits at the end of his/her junior year.

Beginning in 2004-05, grade level progression has been based on changes in grade level placement submitted by districts in ISES. In high school grades, grade level placements submitted by districts are based in part on earning a minimum number of credits towards graduation consistent with past criteria for counting retentions.

Note that retentions are reported for grades kindergarten through 12. Grade 12 students with disabilities who complete the school term and who are retained (i.e., did not complete high school that year) are not counted in the retention rate formula. For students with the most significant cognitive disabilities, grade level placement is typically based on age.

What about students who make up credits in summer school?

A student who qualifies for promotion or exits with a high school completion credential based on work completed during summer school is not considered a retention.

How did implementation of the Individual Student Enrollment System (ISES) affect the counting of retentions?

Criteria for counting retentions were made more explicit in 2004-05 with the implementation of ISES, reducing differences in local interpretation of the retention definition. In ISES, retentions are counted based primarily on year-to-year changes in grade level placement. Some local flexibility is provided in submitting retention/promotion data for interdistrict transfer students to account for allowable local differences in grade level placement criteria used for ISES purposes. For more information about how ISES counts promotions and retentions and calculates retention rates, see http://dpi.wi.gov/lbstat/isescalc.html#promotion and http://dpi.wi.gov/lbstat/isesgloss.html#retention, respectively.

How is the retention rate calculated?

Prior to 2004-05, the retention rate was calculated by dividing the number of K-12 retentions at the the end of the school term by the K-12 fall enrollment (collected in the PI-1290) for that school term.

Beginning with 2004-05, the retention rate is calculated by dividing the number of K-12 retentions at the end of the school term by the K-12 count of students who completed that school term.

The number of students who completed the school term is a spring count and enrollment is a fall count so these two counts will not always be the same. Generally, students enrolled in a school at the end of the spring semester are counted as completing the school term at that school. Retention, promotion, and high school completion decisions are typically based on the student's academic progress/status as of end of the school term.

Grade 12 students with disabilities who complete the school term but who are retained (i.e. did not complete high school) are neither counted in numerator nor denominator of the retention rate formula.

What are the sources of data used to calculate retention rates?

Prior to 2003-04, counts of students retained by grade, by gender, and by race/ethnicity were based on the School Performance Report Collection. Retention rates used "Total enrollment" by gender, race/ethnicity, and grade from the PI 1290 fall enrollment collection.

Beginning with 2004-05, retentions and retention rates are based on data collected by the Individual Student Enrollment System (ISES). Total fall enrollment is also based on ISES beginning in 2004-05 and is provided for information purposes only (no longer used in calculating retention rates beginning with 2004-05).

Where can I get more information about using data on WINSS?

For more information about the WINSS Data Analysis Section, see Data Analysis Section - Frequently Asked Questions and/or Tips for First-time Users of the Data Analysis Section

You can download all data on WINSS for any specific WINSS data question. When data are updated on WINSS the download files are also updated. Links are provided near the bottom of WINSS graph pages. See WINSS Download Options for more information.

Retention rates are publicly reported annually as part of the School Performance Report(SPR). WINSS is one way local and state retention rates are disseminated. For more information about SPR requirements in state law see s. 115.38, stats. Questions or comments regarding the SPR should be directed to the SPR Coordinator, 608-267-3166.

See the Data Errata page for corrections submitted by school districts after final publication of WINSS and other reports.

For questions about this information, contact dpistats@dpi.wi.gov (608) 267-3166

Last updated on 12/15/2011 3:56:15 PM