Lena Lee project 2

link:

http://urichmond.maps.arcgis.com/apps/CompareAnalysis/index.html?appid=4d9c4184c0d64bd68ac6deaebcaf2a5d

High school Dropout Rate Changes from 2006 to 2014 in Virginia by Counties

High school graduation rate is important because it measures the success of state’s primary and secondary education system. Completion of high school is the minimum level of education required by most of employers and so, high school graduates earn more in their lifetimes compared to the non-graduates. Although state does set regulations on education, the details and the quality of education system is determined and set by counties. So, it is very critical that this data of high school dropout rates is looked at the county level, so that we may know what each county is doing right and wrong.

With the data from American Community Surveys (5-year estimates) I looked at the change in rate of high school dropout between the ages (16-19) from the year 2006 to 2014. The changes might be minute, but they may be telling us multiple stories. Because I did not differentiate the data between race and sex, we may not be able to determine if the changes in rates of high school dropouts involve the reasons that involve race and sex. However, it can be inferred that because of the differences in school education systems in those counties, dropout rates increased and decreased. Some reasons for increasing dropout rates could be that more and more students are finding new ways to get secondary education through homeschooling and online classes. Some may be that poverty levels are increasing in certain areas and they have to work after quitting school.

Whatever those reasons may be, it would be interesting to research the actual reasons that contributed to the change in rates of high school dropouts in each counties of Virginia and why it never attain 100% high school graduation rate.

4 Responses to "Lena Lee project 2"

Shaquille Christmas says:

April 19, 2016 at 11:28 am

I think you had a cool project idea and it was easy to tell what the story was. In terms of critiques, If you can I would make the order of the maps from the earliest/older years to the more recent years. Furthermore, I think if you focused on one or a few counties rather than the whole state then the information might be easier to discern. Since there is data for the entire state then the labels harm the map more than help it in my opinion. Also, a blurb in the information provided saying which color is highest and which is least would help, because not everyone would assume that the darkest colors are the highest rates. Moreover, I really like that you have the three time changes in separate maps that have their own controls. It adds a nice interactive feature to the map.
Marissa Parker says:

April 19, 2016 at 11:32 am

1. Do I know what my map’s story is?
It’s clear that you’re showing high school dropout rates, but I’m not sure why you chose three seemingly random ranges that overlap rather than bookend each other. It’s hard to compare between maps because there’s so much going on.
2. Am I using the right map projection?
It looks like Web Mercator which is the default web map projection. Perhaps see if you can change it to a Virginia projection.
3. Am I using data at the right level of generalization?
Yes county level is a good level. You justified this scale as well because counties set their own education standards.
4. Is my symbology clear?
It is clear that the darker color is a high rate. However, looking at your legends (which are pretty hidden–perhaps change the layout so they automatically pop up?) Each show different ranges with the same symbology ramp which is misleading. They are also very small numbers–are these percentages or decimals? Perhaps also choose a color ramp that progresses from a light to dark shade of one color.
5. Do my symbols match my data?
Purple is good neutral color. Think about maybe using a different basemap so that it doesn’t draw away from the focus.
6. Have I used the right text symbols?
The county names are clear. The names in your legends are messy though and make it confusing to an inexperienced map viewer.
7. Does my map have figure-ground organization?
Yes, the counties pop but like I said, maybe choose a more neutral basemap.
8. Does my map have good visual hierarchy?
Yes, counties pop and Virginia is clearly the focus.
9. Do I need to add anything else to my map?
Perhaps an explanation on why you chose these date ranges or something to make it more clear who dropout rates are changing. I couldn’t easily understand the story of dropout rates. Like I said, work on your legend as well.
10. Have I asked for a critique?
You are right now!
Joora B. says:

April 19, 2016 at 3:18 pm

1. Do I know what my map’s story is?
Yes, I can see the increasing rates of high school dropouts in Virginia and it is clear what the author is trying to show on the map.
2. Am I using the right map projection?
Little portion of VA state is cut off but I don’t see any big problem of the projection.
3. Am I using data at the right level of generalization?
For legends, you could use numbers like 0.03 rather than 0.037 to make them simpler.
4. Is my symbology clear?
Symbology is pretty clear and the purple is neutral color, so it is reasonable to use for the dropping out rate.
5. Do my symbols match my data?
As I wrote on number 4, I think it is matching with the data.
6. Have I used the right text symbols?
I think the base map is taking too much parts on the map and it is taking the sight out of the main map. It should me more focused on VA itself. And I wish you can change the style of county names because there are too many names on the state and it distracts me from the core information I should have get.
7. Does my map have figure-ground organization?
Yes. But the base map is too bright and taking the my attention.
8. Does my map have good visual hierarchy?
I think you should work on it more so that the audience can focus on the information you want to show on this map.
9. Do I need to add anything else to my map?
I really like you making three different maps so that I can compare the differences among them.
10. Have I asked for a critique?
Yes! 🙂
Kimberley Browne says:

April 20, 2016 at 9:19 am

Hi Lena,

Be sure your web map AND web map app are both PUBLIC (I had to log in to see your maps).

I would definitely drop the basemap and go for something like the grey canvas.

Try to set the maps so that when you zoom in on one the others zoom to the same spot.

Simplify the pop ups so that most of that info is not showing.

Maybe the popup can just show the drop out rate for that county???

I’m trying to figure out the legend (which means it may need more explanation) … are the darker colors more drop outs or higher drop out rate???

This is an ambitious project and could be used in many ways in the future – way to go for taking this on!

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