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Area graduation rates stable - 12/17/2002
Only five high schools in the Monroe County region recently saw increases in the graduation rates. Ida led the way with a 13 percent boost.
By RAY KISONAS
While state high school graduation rates are at a five-year high, the rates at Monroe County region schools have remained relatively constant. A report released Monday by the Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI) detailed graduation and dropout rates for all Michigan public high schools. It showed that state average graduation rates are at a five-year high with the state average at 87.8 in 2000-01. But in the Monroe County region, only five area high schools showed an increase in graduation rates from 1999-2000 to 2000-01. Bedford, Flat Rock, Ida, Milan and Monroe all showed increases in those rates and decreases in dropout rates. Ida High School saw the biggest increase at 13 percentage points, going from 79.7 to 92.7 percent in one year. Principal Marvin Dick said the reason for the increase probably was due to more complete and accurate information reported to the state rather than students suddenly getting smarter or more dedicated. He said IHS consistently has had graduation rates in the 90s over the years. The low year probably occurred because officials could not track some of the students who moved out of the district without actually dropping out of school. The 2000-01 numbers, Mr. Dick said, were more accurate. "We're not doing anything differently than we did before," he said.
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