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Grad rate dips slightly locally, up statewide

The graduation rate for Chautauqua County schools dropped 1 point, from 83 percent to 82 percent, according to statistics released by the state Department of Education. The overall dropout rate remained steady at 8 percent.

The statewide graduation rate increased to 80.4 in 2018, up from 80.2 percent in 2017.

For the entire state, dropout rates remained relatively flat — from 6.2 percent of students who entered high school in 2013 to 6 percent of students who entered high school in 2014. For English Language Learners (ELL), dropout rates fell 2.2 percentage points, from 29.7 percent to 27.5 percent.

ELL dropout rates still remain significantly higher than all other subgroups of students. Districts have been directed to implement support systems to increase graduation rates of ELL students this year, the state said.

When combining August graduates, the 2018 graduation rate is 82.6 percent. But despite any increase, state officials still want to “accelerate” the improvements.

The Dunkirk City School District saw a 9 percent decrease in its graduation rate from 75 percent in 2017 to 66 percent in 2018. The Clymer Central School District saw its graduation rate increase from 97 percent in 2017 to 100 percent in 2018.

The Jamestown Public Schools District saw a decrease of 2 percentage points from 75 percent to 73 percent. However, its dropout rate decreased 2 percent as well, from 15 percent to 13 percent. The Southwestern Central School district saw a slight decrease from 89 percent in 2017 to 88 percent in 2018.

“New York’s graduation rate continues its steady, upward trend. We would, of course, like to see the pace of improvement accelerated, especially in our gap-closing efforts,” Elia said. “But it’s critical that we continue to maintain and build upon our gains, as we have done consistently. I’m confident that our ESSA plan’s focus on equity will keep our students and our schools moving in the right direction.”

Two of the big five school districts including Yonkers, Rochester, Buffalo, New York City and Syracuse saw increases in overall graduations rates. While NYC and Rochester observed less than two-percent increases, all of the big five districts remain under the state average.

Other areas of improvement included graduation rates for black and Hispanic students and for students with disabilities. The state additionally announced that charter schools in New York state observed a decrease in graduation rates from the prior year, from 74.8 percent for the 2013 group of students to 72.3 percent for the 2014 group.

The commissioner also highlighted other successes from the 2014 group.

A shrinking gap of graduation rates among black and Hispanic students when compared to white students has narrowed yet again this year. Since the 2011 group (students who would graduate in 2016) the gap has narrowed by 4.7 percent for black students and 3.8 for Hispanic students, the state said, when compared to white students. Black and Hispanic students saw an increase of .9 percent this year. However, white students graduated with a Regents diploma or a Regents diploma with advanced designation at a rate nearly 22 percentage points higher than did black and Hispanic students.

Additionally, the first statewide increase in group size was observed, making it the first increase since the 2005 group. The 2014 group featured 3,400 more students than the previous year.

“When we provide students with high-quality learning opportunities, we give them a real chance at success in life,” Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa said. “The Regents and I are committed to strategies that will lift the performance of all students, while at the same time closing the gaps in achievement that continue to separate too many of our children. By making equity the focus of New York’s improvement efforts, we are well positioned to continue our upward trajectory.”

Graduation rates in average-need districts continued to rise while graduation rates in districts with the lowest need of resources fell.

A constant in graduation rates is the continuance of high-need schools having the lowest graduation rates. The state pointed out that a gap remains between high-need schools and low-need schools.

State officials made it clear that while an increase was observed from 2017 to 2019 or from the 2013 group to the 2014 group, efforts to increase and accelerate graduation rate improvement will continue. An emphasis on the implementation of the state’s Every Student Succeeds Act and My Brother’s Keep initiative will help with improvements. Additionally, continuing to provide students with greater access to Career and Technical Education course will be a priority.

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