Across-the-Board Improvement Registered; Dropout Rate Falls
More Maryland students are receiving their high school diplomas than ever before, according to data released today by the Maryland State Department of Education. As the graduation rate has hit record levels, the dropout rate has declined.
“Every student who graduates from high school moves a step closer to college, career, and a world of opportunities,” said State Superintendent of Schools Lillian M. Lowery. “These results show that Maryland is headed in the right direction, but we also must continue work to close gaps in graduation rates that persist among students of different backgrounds.”
The four-year cohort graduation rate reached 86.39 percent in 2014 -- more than 4 percentage points better than the 81.97 percent rate registered in 2010. The graduation rate jumped more than 1 percent over 2013, from 84.97 percent. At the same time, dropout rates have fallen to new lows.
While gaps in graduation rates between student groups remain, the numbers improved across the board in 2014:
- Four-year cohort graduation rates for American Indian, African American, Asian, Hispanic, and White students improved between 2013 and 2014, as did the rate for students identifying as two or more races.
- The graduation rate for African American students has jumped from 76.09 in 2010 to 80.54 in 2014.