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States Hide Big High School Dropout Rates

They send 1 set of numbers to DC, keep another set at home

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 20, 2008 10:18 AM CDT

(Newser) – Many states report rosy high school graduation rates to Washington but publicize much lower figures at home, the New York Times reports. The higher rates often fail to account for the nation's growing legion of dropouts, but states are leery to give the feds bad numbers in part because of penalties associated with the No Child Left Behind Act. The education chief is considering a single federal formula to settle the issue.

California’s official graduation rate in DC is 83%, but the state website says 67%. Mississippi reports a rate of 87% to Washington but cites a figure of 63% in the state. When dropouts are factored in, the numbers drop. “We were losing about 13,000 dropouts a year, but publishing reports that said we had graduation rate percentages in the mid-80s,” said Mississippi's schools chief. “Mathematically, that just doesn’t work out.”

States are seeing a rising number of high school dropouts. (Shutterstock.com)

States are reporting inflated graduation rates to Washington. (Shutterstock.com)

Some states report one set of graduation rates to Washington and use another at home. (Shutterstock.com)

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States Hide Big High School Dropout Rates

They send 1 set of numbers to DC, keep another set at home

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Rep. Jerry Bergevin says it's key to understanding American history

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Money invested will be paid back, and then some: Henry M. Levin and Cecilia E. Rouse

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They contribute just as much to inequality: Andrew Rotherham

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More districts trim textbooks to save money, appeal to students

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States Hide Big High School Dropout Rates

They send 1 set of numbers to DC, keep another set at home

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

education • high school • Department of Education • US states • public schools • high school dropouts • graduation rates

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

NH Bill Would Require Bible Class in Schools

Rep. Jerry Bergevin says it's key to understanding American history

Want to Kickstart Economy? Cut the Dropout Rate

Money invested will be paid back, and then some: Henry M. Levin and Cecilia E. Rouse

Occupy School Districts, Not Wall Street

They contribute just as much to inequality: Andrew Rotherham

More High Schools Hand Out iPads, Cut Textbooks

More districts trim textbooks to save money, appeal to students

School Handcuffed First Graders for Talking: Lawsuit

Mother seeking $100K from Chicago schools

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

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More News

What is Newser?