More California Students Are Graduating: Report

The dropout rate among California students in the high school class of 2015-16 dropped from the previous year, coupled with an upward tick in the graduation rate, according to figures released this week by the state Department of Education.

According to the report, 2,900 more students received their high school diploma last year than the year before -- a record high. This is the sixth time graduation rate has climbed in the state. Among students who started high school in 2011-12, 82.3 percent graduated with their class, up 1.3 percentage points from the year before, according to the state.

The graduation rate rose for almost every student subgroup tracked by the California Department of Education. English-language learners' graduation rate increased by 4 percentage points -- three times that of the statewide rate. Among African American, the rate of increase was 2.6 percentage points, double that of the state. Hispanic or Latino students' graduation rate rose to 78.5 percent, up 1.9 percentage points from the year before.

"This is great news for our students and families," California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said. "Graduation rates have gone up seven years in a row, reflecting renewed optimism and increased investments in our schools that have helped reduce class sizes; bring back classes in music, theater, art, dance and science; and expand career technical education programs that engage our students with hands-on, minds-on learning."

The report also showed a statewide lowering of the dropout rate. Of the students who started high school in 2012-13, 9.8 percent dropped out, down from 10.7 percent the previous year. The biggest decreases were among migrant students and English learners, according to the report.

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