High school graduation rates inched up last year in St. Paul and across the state, according to Minnesota Department of Education data released Tuesday.
In St. Paul Public Schools, 77 percent of last year’s class graduated within four years, nearly a full percentage point better than in 2016.
At 83 percent, the state’s on-time graduation rate improved by one-sixth of a percentage point.
Minneapolis Public Schools’ rate dropped by more than a full percentage point, to 66 percent.
High school completion has been trending up in Minnesota and across the country for several years, even as standardized math and reading test scores largely have been flat.
And while all racial subgroups have improved, wide gaps remain in Minnesota with far more whites and Asians graduating on time than black, Hispanic and American Indian students.
“While our graduation rates have continued to climb and gaps are narrowing, we have too many students who are not receiving a diploma,” Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius said in a prepared statement.
NARROWER GAPS IN ST. PAUL
Compared with the rest of the state, St. Paul Public Schools has relatively narrow gaps in graduation rates among ethnic groups.
At the top, St. Paul reported lower completion among whites and Asians. But at the bottom, St. Paul beat the state with Hispanic, black and American Indian students, as well as English learners and students who qualify for school lunch subsidies.
Male students in St. Paul are 8 percentage points behind the state average, while St. Paul’s girls are 4 points back.
Superintendent Joe Gothard said he’s pleased that the St. Paul district is beating the state in some areas.
“Still, we will continue to work with focus and intention to increase graduation rates among student groups below our district average,” he said.
REPORTING CHANGE
Under the new federal education law, Minnesota is reporting graduation rates in greater detail going forward, with seven ethnic groups instead of five.
It has also redefined subgroups to count more students as low-income, special education and English learners.
As part of that change, the state recalculated data from 2012 to 2016.
In past years, the state has released five- and six-year graduation data in addition to four-year numbers. Seven-year completion rates are included in the latest release.
Eighty-four percent of St. Paul district students earned a diploma in seven years, the data show.
COLLEGE READINESS
Cassellius on Tuesday also noted a steep decline in the share of students forced to take remedial courses at college, which she said was evidence students are leaving high school better prepared.
However, that trend has coincided with a push within Minnesota State public colleges and universities to use alternative college-readiness measures so that students don’t have to take remedial courses.
According to the company that administers the ACT, 31 percent of Minnesota test takers are ready for college-level algebra, English composition, social science and biology. Nationwide, that figure is 27 percent.
