As another school year begins, recently released graduation rates from the 2006-07 school year at San Benito High School District indicate a 2.5 percent increase over the previous year, as well as being almost 10 percent higher than statewide numbers.
While the California number was just below 80 percent, San Benito High School District came in at just less than 90 percent, according to the state's data.
The California Department of Education recently reported that 91,765 students dropped out during the 2006-07 school year.
The statewide ratio, which can be compared with local district numbers, is calculated using a method by the No Child Left Behind legislation. This calculation puts California's graduation rate at 79.5 and San Benito High School District's at 89.3, up from 86.7 percent the year before.
When tracking students from the ninth grade - and comparing that with the number of students who eventually graduate - this puts the statewide rate at 67.6 percent.
This same method of calculation is not available on a county or district level because, according to the CDE Web site:
"Application of this calculation at the school-level creates invalid rates for schools with increasing or declining enrollment, or moderate student mobility."
The formula for the NCLB rate is: the number of graduates from the end of year four divided by the value of the number of graduates from the end of year four, plus grade-nine dropouts from year one, plus grade-10 dropouts from year two, plus grade-11 dropouts from year three, plus grade-12 dropouts from year four.
"Increasing graduation rates is critical to closing the achievement gap and preparing students for success in the competitive global economy," said State Superintendent Jack O'Connell in the statement released with the new data.
Jeff Gatlin Jeff Gatlin is a staff writer at The Hollister Free Lance. You can call him at (831) 637-5566 or send him an email.
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