Possible Full-Term Dropout

Dropout: WISEdata

This data element is deprecated. It was collected in the data collection system that predated WISEdata, ISES. Dropout is not a WISEdata data element.

For current information about dropouts, visit the Exit Types data element page. 

A dropout is a student who discontinued school enrollment without obtaining a high school completion credential. A Possible Full-Term Dropout is a student who completed the school term associated with a record in the most recent previous WISEdata collection but who is not known to be continuing in the next school term.

Records for these students from the previous collection are identified by WISEdata and added to the current collection, so affected districts have an opportunity to update exit information from the previous collection in the current collection. Data that might be updated if conditions are met include certain Exit Types, expected transfer districts or schools, and Expected Transfer Response. Also, the OPTIONAL field can be updated.

USES: Dropout/possible full-term dropout is used to determine dropouts, dropout rates, and IDEA exit categories.

FAQs, Details, and Points to Note

1. Modifications to Dropout Field: Only modifications relating to possible dropout status can be made to the Possible Full-Term Dropout record because other data included in the record are final and have been used for public reporting purposes. For example, any changes made in WISEid demographic data (gender, race/ethnicity, and birth date) since the close of the previous WISEdata collection will not be reflected in the Possible Full-Term Dropout record.
2. Other Dropouts and Possible Dropouts: The "other dropouts and possible dropouts" exit type includes transfers to adult education programs, GED transfers, and certain expelled students. Access to GED programs through school districts is provided through HSED programs (§118.15 contracts). Students who exit high school to pursue a GED or exit high school prior to successful completion of HSED programs are counted as "other dropouts or possible dropouts." Completion of HSED programs includes GED testing as a last step, so students are not expected to exit high school with a GED certificate only. For more information, contact Alternative Education Consultant, Nancy Molfenter.
   • Permanently expelled students who are not receiving services and expelled students who fail to return when eligible are counted the same way as all other exited students not receiving services, i.e., as dropouts.
   • Students for whom the district has been notified of intent to home school prior to the October 15th Home-Based Private Educational Program Registration form (PI-1206) deadline but the PI 1206 has not yet been received by DPI.
3. WSPR: The student's enrollment status at the end of a school term and on the count date and grade level placement at the time of dropping out do not affect the WISEdata exit type collection but do affect public reporting for Wisconsin School Performance Report (SPR) purposes.
   • Students who leave school without completing the previous school term but who are re-enrolled by the count date of the current school term are not publicly reported as dropouts. If they do not return, they are publicly reported as "mid-term" dropouts for the school term during which they left school (i.e., the previous school term).
   • Students who complete the previous school term but who are not enrolled as of the count date of the current school term are "current term" or "summer dropouts." Summer dropouts are not publicly reported as dropouts if they return and complete the current term or are re-enrolled by the count date of the next school term. If summer dropouts are not re-enrolled by the count date of the next school term, then they are considered "full term" dropouts because they missed the entire school term. "Full term" dropouts are publicly reported as dropouts. Whether or not a student has "completed the most recently ended school term" will be based on school term dates provided by districts through the PI 1203 and exit dates provided by WISEdata. Districts can make exceptions for individual students by submitting the appropriate "completed school term" indicator in WISEdata.
   • Exit types are collected at all grade levels, but dropouts are publicly reported through the Wisconsin School Performance Report only for grades 7-12. Grade 9 through 12 dropouts are used to calculate graduation and high school completion rates.
     • WISCONSIN SPR DROPOUT EXAMPLE: A student completes ninth grade at the end of the school term #1 and is expected back as a tenth grader for school term #2. If the student is not enrolled as of the Third Friday of September of school term #2, then the student is a tenth grade dropout for school term #2. If the student does not return and later completes the school term #2, and does not re-enroll by the Third Friday of September of school term #3, then he or she is publicly reported as a tenth grade dropout for school term #2.
   • Exited students who reached the "Maximum age" but who later returned to enrollment status are only publicly reported in the "Maximum age" category for the school year they reached that age. These students are not reported in the "Maximum age" category for any subsequent school year. Students who reached "Maximum age" without earning a high school completion credential may be counted as dropouts for Common Core of Data purposes.
   • Three exit types may result in students being counted as dropouts for Wisconsin SPR and ESSA Report Card purposes:
     • "Other dropouts and possible dropouts" (ODO)
     • "Interstate move, Move to another state within the country; Not known to be continuing" (ISM)
     • "Expected transfer to another school covered by WISEdata; not known to be continuing" (ETC). If the expected transfer was intra-district (e.g., the student completed middle school in the spring but never showed up at the high school during the next school year), then the student would be a dropout for the expected transfer school (in this case - the high school). If the expected transfer was inter-district and the expected transfer district confirms the move, then the student may be counted as a dropout for the expected transfer district; otherwise, the student may be counted as a dropout for the most recent previous accountable district/school.
   • "Out-of-state move; not known to be continuing" (OOS) is counted as a dropout for IDEA purposes. The IDEA Exit Report looks at students' ages 14 and up.
   • Event dropout counts are collected for state and federal reporting purposes. The event dropout count is the the number of students who leave school during a defined period of time and who do not return before a specified count date.
   • The exit date associated with a "high school completion" (HSC) exit type determines the school year for which the high school completion data are reported. If the exit date is on or after the beginning of school term X and before the beginning of school term X+1, then high school completion is counted for school year X. This is because students may earn their credential during summer school. Use of the HSC exit type also affects the term completion indicator, which is used in reporting dropout and retention rates and for other purposes.

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