Albany (WSYR-TV) - The statewide high school graduation results reported by school districts was released Tuesday by the State Education Department.
The statistics show that, statewide, close to 72 percent of the students who started 9th grade in 2005 graduated after four years. That number is six percent higher than the graduation rate for students who started 9th grade in 2001.
Of the 68 school districts in the Central New York region, the Syracuse City School District had the highest four-year graduation drop-out rate in Onondaga County at 27 percent.
The George Junior Republic Union Free School District in the Tompkins County Town of Freeville had the highest drop-out rate in Central New York at 30 percent; only 20 percent of the students there graduated with a Regents or local diploma.
Only 13 School districts had more than 90 percent of their graduating class graduate with a local or Regents diploma.
Oneida County's New Hartford School District had the highest percentage of students who graduate with a Regents or local diploma at 97 percent.
Statewide, State Education Commissioner David Steiner said, "The results show modest improvement overall. However, when we look more closely at the data, we see serious and continuing challenges." Steiner said some interventions have shown real promise, including:
- A rich data system that can track students and give teachers the information and tools they need in the time frame they need to use it;
- An assessment system that includes interim and predictive assessments;
- The ability to engage in a full-scale school re-design where needed; and
- The ability, where absolutely necessary, to remove persistently low-performing teachers - although we believe that must be done very carefully, with great respect for all concerned."
For a look at the statistics broken down by district statewide, click here.
