Michigan high school students are graduating and dropping out at rates very similar to last year, according to data released by the Michigan Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI).
The dropout rate fell slightly to 8.91 percent for the 2015-16 school year, down .21 percent from the 2014-15 rate of 9.12 percent.
The 2015-16 school year graduation rate decreased slightly to 79.65 percent, down 0.14 percent from 79.79 percent in 2014-15.
Eight of the 10 school districts with the most high school students in the cohort class of 2016 (1,100 to 3,200 students) improved their graduation rates.
In order of class size, their rates are: Detroit City School District 78.30 percent; Utica Community Schools 93.06 percent; Plymouth-Canton Community Schools 92.05 percent; Dearborn City School District 92.74 percent; Chippewa Valley Schools 90.41 percent; Ann Arbor Public Schools 88.86 percent; Livonia Public School District 92.14 percent; Rochester Community School District 96.29 percent; Warren Consolidated Schools 85.60 percent; and Walled Lake Consolidated Schools 90.16 percent.
The statewide four-year graduation rate in the 2012-13 school year was 76.96 percent; the following year it was 78.58.
Michigan’s four-year dropout rate in the 2012-13 school year was 10.54 percent; the figure fell to 9.61 in 2013-14.
“While graduation rates for the 2015-2016 school year took a slight dip, the data show us that more students are continuing their high school education past the traditional fourth year rather than dropping out,” said CEPI Director Tom Howell. “The declining dropout rate aligns with the increases we’re seeing in the five- and six-year graduation rates.”
CEPI calculates graduation rates by tracking individual student enrollment records from the time they first enroll as ninth-graders.
This method, along with concerted efforts by CEPI, school administrators and intermediate school district auditors to account for every student, results in an accurate measure of a school’s success in preparing students for college and careers, Howell said.
Four-year “on-time” graduation rates are a school accountability measure adopted by the state, and the methodology for calculating rates is aligned with the National Governors Association Graduation Counts Compact.
CEPI also reports graduation rates for students who remain in high school five and six years. The 5-year graduation rate edged up .82 percent to 82.81 percent, and the 6-year rate improved by 1.42 percent, to 82.67 percent.
“I am encouraged by this year’s data,” said State Superintendent Brian Whiston. “As we move forward to make Michigan a Top 10 education state in 10 years, we need to provide each student an education plan that steers them toward success. If that takes four years to graduate, or five years in an Early/Middle College setting, or even six years, the important thing is that students get the education and skills they need to be successful.”
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