High School Graduation Rate
Goal: Ninety percent of students in Saginaw County will complete high school or an equivalency program.
Measure
High school graduation rate can be measured by monitoring the number of students receiving a high school diploma. Michigan measures graduation and dropout rates by examining the number of students who enter high school (9th grade) and graduate four years later. The Report Card uses the 2008 (2004-2008) and 2009 (2005-2009) cohorts.
Why This Indicator is Important
High school completion is critical to social and economic independence. In order for a society to be active and involved, its citizens must be educated and informed. Our future is dependent on our community commitment to producing successful children with the ability to learn and benefit from education. As schools are asked to move toward college preparation for graduates and Michigan’s curriculum shifts to college preparation, this measurement is key to increasing the number of 25 year olds and above with a post-secondary education, a key measure for economic growth.
How Are We Doing?
For the 2004-2008 cohort, 9 of the 13 Saginaw School Districts were well above the Michigan average for graduation rates of 79%; while 10 of the 13 school districts had a lower dropout rate than the state average of 15.59%.
For the 2005-2009 cohort, 9 of the 13 Saginaw School Districts were well above the Michigan average for graduation rates of 75.2%; while 9 of the 13 Saginaw School Districts had a lower dropout rate than the state average of 11.33%.
Data trends show that although the state dropout rate decreased so too did the graduation rate. In Saginaw County, all schools except for Bridgeport-Spaulding (below state average) and Hemlock Public (above state average) saw their graduation rates decrease at the same rate as the state. Michigan’s overall graduation is well below and dropout rates are well above the national average. In Saginaw County (2008 data), only 5 of the 13 schools were above national average (89%) for graduation and below the national average dropout rates (8%).
For the 2005-2009 cohort, 9 of the 13 Saginaw School Districts were well above the Michigan average for graduation rates of 75.2%; while 9 of the 13 Saginaw School Districts had a lower dropout rate than the state average of 11.33%.
Data trends show that although the state dropout rate decreased so too did the graduation rate. In Saginaw County, all schools except for Bridgeport-Spaulding (below state average) and Hemlock Public (above state average) saw their graduation rates decrease at the same rate as the state. Michigan’s overall graduation is well below and dropout rates are well above the national average. In Saginaw County (2008 data), only 5 of the 13 schools were above national average (89%) for graduation and below the national average dropout rates (8%).
How Can You Have An Impact?
- Encourage and support good study habits.
- Become a tutor or mentor.
- Support youth involvement in activities outside of the classroom.
- Help your children understand the benefits of education.
- Support the Compulsory Attendance Act.
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