LAUSD Grad Rates Have Gone Up

The Los Angeles Unified School District says the graduation rate of its high school students climbed 5 percent to a total of 77 percent.

This data comes from the district following almost 35,000 students through their high school career to see how many graduated at the end of four years. 

LAUSD Superintendent Michelle King said in a statement that there was also an increase in rates for English learners and African American students.

The rate for African American students increased to 72.5 percent in 2016 from 66.5 percent in 2015 and English learners were up 50 percent having 57 percent of their students graduate last year.

Hispanic, Asian and Filipino students have also had major rises in their grad rates with 77, 87.3 and 90 percent respectively.

King says she expects the numbers to keep going up until they hit their goal of a 100 percent graduation rate.

"This data shows we are closing opportunity gaps and preparing more L.A. Unified students for college and careers, but we still have work to do."

While the figures are impressive, LAUSD is still behind in statewide averages.

In California, the graduation rate was 83 percent in 2016 and for White students the gap was larger.

LAUSD had a 77 percent graduation rate versus the statewide 88 percent.

Under a plan created by the LAUSD in 2005, the 2016 class is the first to have the requirement to pass "A-G" classes.

These college-prep classes are required by UC and CSU schools for admission and students are only required a "D" or better to move forward.

The 2016 class is also the first to not have to take the California High School Exit Examination and it has been suspended until the 2017-2018 school year.


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