Maryland’s graduation rate is now at a historic high, with students from nearly every background and minority group earning high school diplomas in higher numbers. But one group, recent immigrants who are learning English, is falling behind. After modest increases for much of the decade, Maryland’s graduation rate of high school students earning diplomas on time rose to 86 percent in the 2013-2014 school year, according to data released Tuesday by the State Department of Education.

Charles County graduation rate increases

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) graduation rate hit 91.4 percent in 2014, its highest rate since 2010, according to data released by the Maryland State Department of Education this week. As student graduation rates increase, the CCPS dropout rate continues to decline.

The CCPS four-year cohort graduation rate jumped from 89.8 percent in 2013 and has improved more than five points since 2010. Additionally, CCPS students also improved across all subgroups. The CCPS average exceeds the state graduation rate of 86.39 by five points.

“I can’t tell you how proud we are of the accomplishments of our students,” Superintendent Kimberly Hill told high school principals. She credited principals, teachers and staff for helping students stay in school and graduate with their class. “None of this would have been possible without your hard work and your commitment to being the difference,” Hill said.

Four of six high schools posted graduation rates greater than 90 percent. Henry E. Lackey High School’s graduation rate jumped from 87.25 in 2013 to 90.51 in 2014. La Plata High School posted a 2014 rate of 92.82, down from 94.64, and North Point High School’s graduation rate remained the highest in the county at 95.94 percent, despite a slight decrease. Westlake High School improved its graduation rate to 91, up from 88.3 percent in 2013. Maurice J. McDonough High School increased its graduation rate from 88.75 to 89.07 in 2014, and Thomas Stone High School increased by nearly 7-points, raising its rate from 80.65 in 2013 to 87.36 in 2014.

Gradation rates for students of all races/ethnicity were above 90 percent. Four-year cohort graduation rates by race/ethnicity are:
• Asian: greater than 95 percent;
• African American: 90.06 percent;
• Hispanic/Latino: greater than 95 percent;
• White: 91.94 percent; and
• Two or more races: greater than 95 percent.

While gaps in graduation rates between some student groups remain, the numbers improved across the board in 2014:

• The graduation rate for students receiving free or reduced-price meals (FARMS) increased more than three percentage points, from 79.06 percent to 82.2 percent.

• The graduation rate for special education students improved more than 10 percentage points, rising to 75.16 in 2014 from 64 percent in 2013.

• Both girls and boys improved four-year cohort graduation rates. Females bettered their four-year cohort graduation rate to 94.37, up from 93.27 in 2013. A higher percentage of males graduated in 2014, up 2 points from 86.42 in 2013 to 88.56 in 2014.

Hill said, “Even though we surpassed the state average for FARMS and special education students, we still have work to do to close the achievement gaps for these subgroups.”

The percentage of students dropping out of school also has declined. The CCPS four-year cohort dropout rate has declined from 6.13 percent in 2013 to 4.97 percent in 2014. The State’s dropout rate was 8.35 percent in 2014. Dropout rates provide a cumulative dropout rate across the four years since the cohort first entered grade 9. This rate includes as dropouts those students who did not graduate after four years but did not return for a fifth year. There were 2212 students in the four-year adjusted cohort, with 2,022 earning diplomas in four years.

Maryland five years ago moved to the cohort graduation rate, which follows a set group of students from freshman year through their senior year. The State includes both the four-year cohort and five-year cohort rate in its accountability program. Data released this week is for the four-year cohort graduation rate for the class of 2014 and includes summer graduates. The calculation follows students from the time they first entered grade 9 and includes those who graduate after four years. The five-year cohort rate does not include summer graduates and is released in June.

Calvert County graduation rate increases

More Calvert County Public Schools students are receiving high school diplomas than ever before, according to data released by the Maryland State Department of Education. As the graduation rate hit a new high, the dropout rate declined.

The 2014 four-year cohort graduation rate reached 94.09 percent after hovering at just over 91 percent every year since 2010. The dropout rate declined from 5.95 percent in 2010 to 4.01 percent in 2014.

Dr. Daniel D. Curry, Superintendent of Schools, said, “We are pleased to see the hard work of our staff and students pay off.  More graduates and fewer dropouts are just what we need to fuel economic recovery in Calvert County.  This is a great place to go to school. ”

The principals of the four high schools attribute the increase to the diligent work of staff members who provide interventions and establish relationships with students to create a supportive school culture.

Significantly, the gaps between students in racial and ethnic groups are small. Four-year cohort graduation rates for African-American, Hispanic, and white students all improved between 2010 and 2014. The graduation rate for African-American students is 94.14 percent; for Hispanic students, 94 percent; and for white students, 93.94 percent. Students who identify as two or more races graduated at a rate of 94.37 percent and Asian students at over 95 percent.

While gaps in graduation rates between student groups receiving special services remain, the numbers improved in 2014. The graduation rate for students receiving special education services increased to 75.34 percent from 73.26 percent in 2010. The graduation rate for students receiving free or reduced-price meals increased to 90.65 percent from 83.98 percent in 2010.

In 2010, Maryland moved to the cohort graduation rate, which follows a set group of students from freshman year through senior year, as does the dropout rate.

St. Mary’s County graduation rate increases

LEONARDTOWN, MD – St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) high school students are graduating at a record high rate, according to newly released data from the Maryland State Department of Education.

The four-year cohort graduation rate continued to climb this past year as 93.5 percent of the class of 2014 – students who entered school in the fall of 2010 – graduated on time. The new rate represents an increase of 10.7 percent over five years. At the same time, the four-year cohort dropout rate fell from 10.98 percent in 2010 to 4.44 percent in 2014. Both measures outpace the Maryland State Average.

“Our teachers, counselors, administrators, and support staff never give up on our students,” said J. Scott Smith, Interim Superintendent of Schools. “This graduation rate is a testament to their effectiveness and the persistence of our students and their parents.”

High school graduation numbers are calculated in what is commonly called the “cohort rate.” The four-year adjusted cohort rate is the number of students who graduate with a regular high school diploma divided by the number of students who form the adjusted cohort for the graduating class. For any given cohort, students who are entering 9th grade for the first time form a cohort that is later “adjusted” by adding students who transfer in during the succeeding years, and subtracting those who transfer out.

Overall SMCPS Progress:

• 93.46% is the highest recorded on-time graduation rate for SMCPS.

• SMCPS has increased the graduation rate 10.7% in the past five years.

• SMCPS outpaces the Maryland Average by 7% and the Nation by 13%.

• The dropout rate for SMCPS has decreased by 6.54% over five years.

Graduation rates for all demographic groups have improved as well.

• 90.43% of African American students graduated on time, an increase of 17.74% over five years.

• 94.34% of Hispanic/Latino students graduated on time, an increase of 10.56% over five years.

• 93.63% of White/Caucasian students graduated on time, an increase of 8.68% over five years.

• The graduation rate for economically disadvantaged students has increased 14.86% over five years.

• The graduation rate for special education students has increased 12.16% over five years.

Each high school has shown improvement with the four-year cohort graduation rate, with the greatest increase at Great Mills High School – rising nearly 17 percentage points over the last five years.