MIAMI-DADE SCHOOLS OUTPERFORM STATE IN GRADUATION RATES

Rate has improved 15.2 percentage points in five years

Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ (M-DCPS) graduation rate has increased once again for the 2012-2013 academic year, according to U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) guidelines. The federally calculated graduation rate is 77.2 percent; surpassing the state both in rate of growth and total graduation rate.  State graduation rate for 2012-13 is 75.6.

Additionally, M-DCPS also surpassed other districts, including Broward, Palm Beach, Duval and Hillsborough.

“This is one more measure of success that should make our community proud,” said Miami-Dade Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho.  “The continued focus and determination of our teachers and leaders toward improving graduation outcomes. It is further proof that our continued focus on career and college readiness is proving effective.”

In October 2008, the (USDOE) amended the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as modified by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, to include new directives for graduation rates. These new regulations require each state to calculate a four-year adjusted cohort rate, which includes standard diplomas but excludes GEDs, both regular and adult, and special diplomas. USDOE adopted this calculation method in an effort to streamline graduation rate calculations to acquire uniform, accurate, and comparable rates across all states. States began calculating the new graduation rate in 2010-11.

When calculated retroactively MDCPS’ federal high school graduation rate has consistently increased during the past five years. The rate has improved from 62.0 in 2008-09 to 77.2 in 2012-13, an increase of 15.2 percentage points.

The graduation rates for M-DCPS’ Black and Hispanic students also showed a jump in numbers that significantly outperformed the State.

•  M-DCPS Black students = 69.2            •  State Black Students 64.6
•  M-DCPS Hispanic Students 78.6          • State Hispanic Students 74.9

These steady increases are due in large part to a strategic plan in which the sole objective is increased student achievement and support structures that have been implemented, such as course acceleration, credit recovery, and targeted professional development.

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