Idaho’s 2017 graduation rate shows small
increase |
February 8, 2018 |
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Nearly eight in 10 Idaho high school seniors
graduated in 2017, a slight improvement with
some bright spots and room to improve,
Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri
Ybarra said Wednesday.
One bright spot in the newly released data: More
than 36 percent of Idaho’s high schools –
including rural and urban populations across the
state – graduate students at a rate of 90
percent or higher.
The overall state average – 79.67 percent for
2017 -- spurred Superintendent Ybarra to direct
staff to take a deeper dive into the statistics
to see which, if any, demographics may be
undercounted and how the state can help more
students achieve their goals of graduation and
post-high school success.
Idaho’s overall graduation rate for 2017 is up
slightly, from 79.66 percent in 2016 and 78.91
in 2015.
In Boundary County School District 101 in 2017,
96 of 107 seniors left Bonners Ferry High School
with a diploma, for a graduation rate of 89.7
percent.
“It is exciting to have three years of data
using the same formula to calculate rates,”
Superintendent Ybarra said. “This allows us to
dig deeper into the data, identify trends and
ask questions.
“Did some of them move out of state? Did they
earn GEDs (equivalency certificates that do not
count in graduation rates)? Did they simply not
finish in the time allotted? Finding out the
answers will help us understand how to help
them.”
Some students need more time: The State
Department of Education will add a five-year
cohort for graduation-rate calculations that
will help determine how many Idaho students are
graduating a year later than the traditional
four-year cohort allows.
To illustrate that point: Of the 4,604 students
who did not graduate with their 2017 class, 21
percent, or 1,005, returned to school this year.
Some – 32 – completed their graduation
requirements and received their diploma. The
remaining are still enrolled.
Idaho’s virtual schools and alternative schools
record the lowest graduation rates in Idaho,
reflecting their unique challenges. The graphic
above how many schools of each category graduate
at low and high percentage rates.
“Clearly, we see that students who qualify as
‘at risk’ are an area for continued focus,”
Ybarra said. “Some are finding success outside
the traditional high school setting, with about
25 percent graduating from an alternative
program.”
This year a new statewide system of support, the
STAT team, will focus on providing resources and
assistance to schools and districts with average
graduation rates of 67 percent or lower. |
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