Graduation rates increase

Wisconsin's graduation rates increased between the 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years, ensuring the state's near, if not top, ranking in the nation for the percentage of students who successfully complete high school.

"This is good news for our students and our state," said State Superintendent Tony Evers. "The lifetime implications of leaving high school before graduation are a litany of lost opportunities. We want every student to leave high school ready for college and careers."

The state's legacy graduation rate shows three years of steady progress. For the 2010-11 school year, Wisconsin had a legacy graduation rate of 90.5 percent, up six-tenths of a point from the previous year and 1.1 points from the 2008-09 school year. As measured by the federal four-year cohort rate, Wisconsin had 61,202 graduates for the 2010-11 school year. The state's four-year cohort graduation rate of 87 percent is up 1.3 points from the 2009-10 school year. This is the second year Wisconsin is reporting graduation rates using the uniformly adopted four-year cohort formula required by the U.S. Department of Education.

Both the legacy and four-year cohort graduation rates count students earning a regular high school diploma. The legacy graduation rate provides a snapshot of high school graduation and completion in a given year. The denominator of the formula counts all students who are expected to graduate that year, including students who graduate, drop out, reach maximum age, or earn other completion credentials. The four-year cohort rate counts only students who earn a regular diploma within four years of starting high school. As the Department of Public Instruction moves to the federally required graduation rate formula, Wisconsin will provide a six-year cohort graduation rate along with the four-year cohort rate in the 2012-13 school year.

"Though the vast majority of students graduate between the ages of 17 and 19, there are some individuals who will need longer to complete high school," Evers noted. "It takes perseverance, but that diploma is a key to future success. A high school diploma opens doors to two- and four-year college programs, technical training, and careers."

Additional information is available in the complete news release or on the Wisconsin Information Network for Successful Schools (WINSS) website. Click on "Data Analysis."

Last updated on 5/16/2012 5:23:35 PM