Baton Rouge, La. – According to a report issued by the Louisiana Department of Education today, more than 65 percent of the students who enter 9th grade in high schools across Louisiana are earning a diploma in the traditional four-year time frame. That figure, the Cohort Graduation Rate, which is based on the number of students who enter the ninth grade and graduate four years later, is one of several calculations states are required to report as part of the federal No Child Left Behind act.
The Department has been monitoring and analyzing the information over the last several years, although no official reports have been issued or publicized. However, given the emphasis on raising graduation rates and reducing dropouts across the state, Department leaders say the critical nature of the data warrants separate reports at the state, district and school level.
“In the past, because the graduation rate impacts the School Performance Score (SPS), the data was reported with SPS data,” said State Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek. “With the Department’s renewed focus on high school graduation rates and preparing students for college and careers through various initiatives, we think it is important to highlight and monitor the measurement at all levels so that policy makers, educators, parents and communities not only become familiar with the term, but they also begin to work in collaboration with districts and schools to achieve a better outcome for high school students across the state.”
An unofficial study was conducted by the Department in October of this year whereby previous data was used to calculate and analyze unofficial rates for the years 2001-2005 prior to the reporting of official measurements. Based on that study, the state’s 2007 cohort graduation rate of 65.9 percent represents a gain of 4.6 percent compared to 2001 when the rate would have measured 61.3 percent. The 2007 rate also represents a 1.1 percent gain from Louisiana’s official 2006 cohort graduation rate of 64.8.
“This report continues to indicate an overall pattern of improvement in our graduation rates,” said Keith Guice, President of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). “We also recognize that dramatic increases in graduation rates won’t happen overnight. However, I am optimistic that if we focus on the issues that impact high school students, our goal of raising Louisiana’s graduation rate to 80 percent by the year 2016 can be achieved in a shorter time frame. Ultimately, this is about making sure our students start their lives equipped to succeed in whatever direction they pursue, and we are eager to meet that responsibility.”
The report released today also included cohort graduation rates for 62 school districts and 271 schools. Twenty-seven school districts had 100 percent of their schools topping the state’s graduation rate of 65.9 percent. Nearly 10 percent (27) of the state’s high schools that reported data had cohort graduation rates of 90 percent or higher and more than 26 percent (72) had cohort graduation rates below the state rate of 65.9.
The five school districts with the highest cohort graduation rates are Beauregard Parish, 87.3; Allen Parish, 84.5; Jackson Parish, 83.4; Zachary Community, 82.8; and Livingston Parish, 81.3. Three of six schools in Beauregard Parish have graduation rates above 90 and the other three have graduation rates in the 80s.
Schools in Cameron Parish, City of Bogalusa School District, Jefferson Parish, Orleans Parish, Plaquemines Parish, the Recovery School District and St. Bernard Parish did not report cohort graduation data due to the interruption in school caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.
The five individual schools with the highest cohort graduation rates are Fairview High School in Allen Parish, 100; Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts, 100; LSU Laboratory School, 100; Baton Rouge High School in East Baton Rouge Parish, 97.1; and Sarepta High School in Webster Parish, 96.8.
Pastorek said increased relevance and rigor in middle school and high school courses will encourage students to remain in school and earn a high school diploma.
“When students see the link between what they are learning in the classroom and their future success, they will recognize the value of a high school diploma and they will work to meet and even exceed our expectations,” Pastorek noted.
Individual school graduation rates and district graduation rates for 2006 and 2007 are linked below and can be found on the department’s Web site at www.LouisianaSchools.net.
2007 Cohort Graduation Rates EXCEL
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