Experts Assesses NY State’s High School Graduation Rate
October 4, 2017
“New York state’s high school graduation rate may take a hit due to an under-the-radar provision in” ESSA, reports Chalkbeat New York. The new law “requires states to count only ‘standard’ diplomas earned by a “preponderance” of students or honors diplomas in their federal graduation rate.” This means it is possible “that definition would exclude New York’s ‘local’ diploma, a less rigorous option earned by only about 4 percent of graduating students.” However, it’s “unclear how the federal agency will enforce the graduation rule—and whether New York’s local diploma will pass muster—but experts say it does not appear to meet the requirements of the law.” If this is the case, “New York may be forced to lower its graduation rate or report separate state and federal rates.”