Future Improvements in Graduation Rates Depend on State's Investment in Education
The following statement is provided by Martha Fluor, President of the California School Boards Association.
"The release of the 2010 high school graduation rates through CALPADs is a great accomplishment for our state's education system. I commend the California Department of Education for building a data system that more accurately calculates graduation rates. For the first time, school districts and county offices of education have access to comprehensive graduation rates, providing them the ability to base local education reform on inclusive and accurate data to further improve student achievement. These findings continue to emphasize why CALPADs is a worthy investment.
I am proud of the overall decrease in California's high school dropout rates. Our schools continue to show significant improvements in student achievement, even as we face ongoing cuts and deferrals to education funding. But I recognize that we still have work to do. These findings are proof that student dropout rates are not only the responsibility of our local schools but our communities. California must invest the resources and services required to address the diverse needs of our students and provide every child the opportunity to succeed. These gains will not continue if schools are consistently faced with increased class sizes, furlough days, staff layoffs and looming mid-year cuts. This data reiterates the significant need to continue to invest even more in education in order to close the achievement gap."