Florida's Graduation Rates Rise Again
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Florida's Graduation Rates Rise Again
~ Across the board increases by 5 percentage points since 2010-11 ~Tallahassee, Fla., December 11, 2013 - Florida's federal graduation rate rose again this year to a new mark of 75.6 percent. This continues the upward trend of the percent of Florida students graduating from high school within four years. Florida's federal graduation rate has jumped more than five percentage points since 2010-11.
Governor Scott said, "News that graduation rates have risen by more than 5 percentage points since 2010-11 means more Florida students are receiving a quality education so they can pursue their dreams. Education is critical to Florida's future workforce and that's why we fought so hard to secure $480 million for teacher pay raises. While Florida's improved graduation rates is good news, we will continue working hard to ensure every child has access to a quality education."
"I am very pleased that Florida's graduation rate continues to rise," said Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart. "Florida's parents and teachers have worked very hard to help students be successful and I want to thank them for their continued efforts to help students graduate from high school ready to move on to college and a career."
Florida's African American and Hispanic students have consistently increased their graduation rates since 2010-11. For African American students, the graduation rate rose 5.1 percentage points in 2011-12 and another .9 percentage points in 2012-13, for a jump of 6 percentage points since 2010-11. Hispanic students also improved their graduation rates for the same years, with a 3.5 percentage point increase last year and an additional 2 percentage points this year for an overall growth of 5.5 percentage points since 2010-11.
| White | Black or African American | Hispanic/Latino | Asian | American Indian or Alaska Native | Two or More Races | Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-11 | 76.2% | 58.6% | 69.4% | 85.9% | 69.7% | 75.1% | N/A | 70.6% |
| 2011-12 | 79.4% | 63.7% | 72.9% | 88.4% | 69.7% | 78.6% | 62.5% | 74.5% |
| 2012-13 | 80.5% | 64.6% | 74.9% | 88.4% | 76.8% | 79.7% | 88.2% | 75.6% |
The graduation rate measures the percentage of students who graduate within four years of their first enrollment in ninth grade. The rate is calculated for an adjusted cohort of students - a group of students on the same schedule to graduate - taking into account those who enter or exit the group. The federal graduation rate is used in calculating high school grades and allows for comparison among states.
Beginning in 2011, federal regulations required states to calculate a four-year graduation rate that includes only standard diplomas. Previously, Florida's official graduation rate included both standard and special diploma recipients. Students who earn a special diploma, a GED-based diploma, a certificate of completion, or have been retained and are still in school are not included as graduates in the federal graduation rate.
Florida's 2013 single-year dropout rate rose slightly to 2.0 percent. Single-year dropout data for students in grades nine through twelve from 2008-09 through 2012-13 is below.
For more information and to view state and district graduation and dropout data, visit Graduation Rates.