New ACGR Data Show Graduation Gaps Persist
On October 19, 2015, the U.S. Dept. of Education (ED) released preliminary graduation rates reported by states for the 2013-14 school year.
According to ED “The vast majority of states – 36 – saw increases in overall graduation rates, while 6 states saw decreases and another 8 saw no change since 2012-13. The majority of states also shrank the achievement gap for black and Hispanic students, as well as students with disabilities, English language learners and low-income students”
ED reported that 21 states showed a decline in the graduation rate gap between all students and students with disabilities, 17 states had increases in the gap and 12 states showed no change.
Our analysis (below) found 21 states and D.C. decreased, 15 increased and 14 had no change (the difference could be caused by rounding). Two states are outliers – Alabama (19 point gap increase) and Oregon (gap decrease of 11 points).
Most states had negligible changes (a decrease or increase of just 1-2 points) which could be characterized as statistically insignificant.
Without a doubt, the bigger issue continues to be the huge gaps between students with disabilities and all students earning a regular high school diploma in four years.
Four Year Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate
Gaps between All Students and Students with Disabilities
SY 2012-13 and SY 2013-14
Download ACGR Comparison Chart .