Wisconsin's Dropout Rate Declines

Wisconsin's dropout rate – already one of the lowest in the nation – fell even further to 1.935% in 2001-02, according to statistics released Monday (February 24, 2003) by the State Department of Public Instruction.

The state's dropout rate has declined in each of the last four years, going from 2.351% in 1998-99, to 2.291% in 1999-00, 2.120% in 2000-01, and 1.935% last year.

The graduation rate also improved last year. In 2001-02, Wisconsin had a graduation rate of 90.83%, an increase from the prior year’s graduation rate of 89.95%.

(The dropout rate measures the number of students who leave school in a single year; while the graduation rate calculation includes students who dropped out or left school for other reasons over a four-year period.)

“The presence of even one dropout is troubling,” State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster said in releasing the report. “A young person who has left school before graduation has limited opportunities for success without a high school credential. We must continue our efforts to keep all students engaged and learning.

"Our continued focus on smaller class sizes in early grades, quality educators in every school and classroom, and strong parental and community involvement that supports student learning will help us fulfill our promise for every child in Wisconsin.”

The dropout rate in Milwaukee Public Schools fell from 10.536% in 2000-01 to 8.961% percent in 2001-02, while the MPS graduation rate rose from 54.73% in 2000-01 to 60.13% in 2001-02. The dropout rate for African-American and Hispanic students declined over the last year while the graduation rate for those students increased in both Milwaukee and throughout the state.

Burmaster said she was disturbed, however, that the truancy rate continues to be high in Milwaukee and called for a continued focus on truancy issues.

“While we are moving in the right direction in Milwaukee, we still have a lot of work to do on reducing truancy and dropouts and improving graduation rates among children of color,” Burmaster
said. “This must be a top priority for not only the Milwaukee community but throughout our state. We should be proud of our progress, but committed to doing better.”

Highlights from the School Performance Report show:

• Of the state’s 379 districts with high schools, 260 reported graduation rates of 95% or better. Eighty-six districts reported graduation rates of 100%, and 40 had all of
  their students graduate two years in a row.
• For the 2001-02 school year, 102 districts reported no dropouts. Seven districts had a dropout rate that exceeded 4.0%, another 13 districts had dropout rates between
  3.0% and 3.9%, and nine districts had dropout rates between 2.5% and 2.9%.
• Attendance rates have held steady at 94% over the past four years. Truancy rates have increased, likely the result of improved reporting and increased focus on the importance of school attendance, according to DPI. The expulsion rates and retention rates have fluctuated over four years, and suspension rates have declined.

“Simple logic holds that children make greater academic progress if they have solid attendance at school,” Burmaster said. “The School Performance Report provides valuable insight on schools that educators and community residents can use to meet the educational needs of all our children.”

DPI news release and charts (this link opens a pdf file)

Posted February 25, 2003