Graduation Rate Falls In Baltimore County Public Schools

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — Baltimore County Public Schools saw its dropout rate increase and its graduation rate decrease in the past year, officials said Tuesday. The Maryland Department of Education released the information the day the Baltimore County Board of Education was considering the superintendent's proposed operating budget, which calls for increases in staffing.

Here are the 2018 and 2019 data points, according to Baltimore County Public Schools

Four-year graduation rates

• 87.6 percent – BCPS 2019
• 86.9 percent — Maryland 2019
• 89.2 percent — BCPS 2018
• 87.1 percent — Maryland 2018

Four-year dropout rate

• 8.8 percent — BCPS 2019
• 8.4 percent — Maryland 2019
• 7.5 percent — BCPS 2018
• 8.4 percent — Maryland 2018

"My operating budget proposal for FY2021 is focused on additional classroom staffing to support every student toward graduation, careers and college," Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams said in a statement. "It will take all of our coordinated efforts – from the earliest grades, during and outside of school – to ensure that students meet this crucial milestone."

Officials with Baltimore County Public Schools said the system has "consistently demonstrated four-year graduation rates that exceed the average graduation rate across Maryland public schools" and uses a team approach to support student progress, informed by data and ongoing communication as well as flexibility such as offering credit outside the traditional school year.