County Graduation Rates Climb to Record Levels: PGCPS

From a PGCPG news release:

County schools have an overall graduation rate of 76.59 percent, a 2.47 percentage point increase in the overall four-year graduation rate for Prince George’s County Public Schools, according to data released Jan. 27, by the Maryland State Department of Education.

This is the highest graduation rate on record for the school district.

Bowie High School, Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Gwynn Park High School and Charles Herbert Flowers High School all have graduation rates at or above the state average of 86.39 percent.

Moreover, graduation rates rose among almost all student subgroups, with the largest increases made by Hispanic/Latino students with a 4.78 percentage point increase and African-American students, whose rate increased by 2.56 percentage points. Students receiving special education services showed an 8.02 percentage point increase in four-year graduation rate and those in the free and reduced-price meals program increased 1.79 percentage points.

“Improving graduation rates was one of my top priorities when I returned to PGCPS as CEO. The data shows that our strategic focus on academic excellence, developing a high-performing workforce, and engaging with our families and communities is working. I commend our students, staff, teachers, and administrators for their hard work in achieving this significant milestone. Our union partners were with us every step of the way and we are grateful for their collaboration and support in helping us increase our graduation rates. We are going to continue the work to push our graduation rates even higher than where we are today,” said Chief Executive Officer for PGCPS Dr. Kevin M. Maxwell.

As graduation rates rose in the school district, the dropout rate declined in Prince George’s County Public Schools. Now at 16.73 percent, the dropout rate decreased 1.77 percentage points, which is the lowest since 2010 and the largest decrease in one year on record for the school district.

The following high schools made gains of 3 or more percentage points in their graduation rates:

• Central High School with an 8.72 percentage point increase
• Forestville High School with a 6.15 percentage point increase
• Laurel High School with a 5.82 percentage point increase
• Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. High School with a 4.79 percentage point increase
• Parkdale High School with a 4.79 percentage point increase
• Largo High School with a 3.22 percentage point increase
• Bladensburg High School with a 3.06 percentage point increase

“I am excited to congratulate Prince George’s County Public Schools on this excellent news and progress,” said Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III. “Two years ago, we made bold moves intended to improve our schools in categories such as graduation and drop-out rates. Today, we are seeing tangible results because of the school system and Board leadership, the dedication of the principals, teachers, and support staff in schools throughout the county, and, most importantly, because of the hard work, persistence, and tenacity of our students and their parents.”

MSDE uses a four-year cohort method to calculate graduation rates. It follows a set group of students from freshman year through their senior year.

To view data for any district or school in Maryland, visit the 2014 Maryland Report Card website atwww.mdreportcard.org.

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