Minnesota Breaks Record For High School Graduation Rates

MINNESOTA - More Minnesota seniors than ever before graduated in 2018, with 55,869 students — 83.2 percent of the graduating class overall, the state’s highest graduation rate on record—achieving the honor and moving on to career and college.

Additionally, 3,641 students from earlier classes also earned their diplomas in 2018, graduating five, six, or seven years after beginning high school.

"Graduating high school is a critical step on every student’s path to find their own success," said Education Commissioner Mary Cathryn Ricker in a statement.

"In Minnesota, we do not give up on our students. Behind every single data point in this year’s historic graduation rate, I not only see the unique stories of individual students, but also the hard work that educators, administrators, coaches and families put into supporting the needs of our students so they could reach this important milestone."

Graduation rates increased statewide for all ethnic student groups this year, as well as for English learners, students receiving special education services, and students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals.

During this same period:

• American Indian/Alaska Native students increased by 2.8 percentage points.
• Asian students increased by 4.2 percentage points.
• Hispanic students increased by 3.6 percentage points.
• Students identifying as two or more races increased by 3 percentage points.
• Students receiving special education services increased by 4 percentage points.
• English learners increased by 2.5 percentage points.
• Students eligible for free or reduced-price meals increased by 3.5 percentage points.

Since 2014, graduation rates for white students have increased by 1.9 percentage points, according to a news release.

When looking at students of color and American Indian students together, officials find they have increased by 4.9 percentage points during that same time.

This change represents an almost 15 percent reduction in the gap between white and nonwhite students.