State Graduation Rate Rises to 89.8% for 1998-99

Wisconsin’s graduation rate increased slightly last year, while the statewide dropout rate fell, according to a report released by the Department of Public Instruction.

The state graduation rate was 89.8% for the 1998-1999 school year, up from 88.99% the previous year. The dropout rate for last year was 2.33%, down from the previous year’s 2.54%.

The graduation rate describes the number of students who earned a diploma after four years of high school compared to the number who dropped out during the same four-year span. The dropout rate represents 6,509 9th- through 12th-grade students who left school at some time during the 1998-99 school year and did not return by the third Friday in September of the 1999-00 school year.

“Overall, Wisconsin remains a national leader in graduation and dropout rates,” WEAC President Terry Craney said. “However, our largest school district is not sharing in this success story. Milwaukee Public Schools’ graduation rate of 56.02% is a call to action for the community and the state.”

MPS’ graduation rate increased slightly from the previous year’s level of 55.6%.

“These figures show MPS students need special attention and resources,” Craney said. “We cannot afford to let any child leave school and face an uncertain future. All children, no matter where they live, need to succeed in school in order to succeed in life.”

Craney called on state and local officials to work together to help MPS students.

“Improving student graduation and dropout rates is a community-wide challenge,” Craney said. “Quality schools need community involvement and support.”