Wake, like the rest of the state, has seen a decline in the dropout rate based on new numbers released today.
In the 2007-08 school year, Wake saw 1,689 kids drop out of high school, compared to 1,647 the prior year. But due to the increase in Wake's high school enrollment, the dropout rate dipped from 4.21 percent to 4.17 percent.
Statewide, the dropout rate fell from 5.24 percent to 4.97 percent.
Whether these dropout numbers really mean anything is up for debate. We'll get a better handle on things later this year when the new high school graduation rates are released.
Click here to look at the various dropout rate reports.
Comments
Thank you for including the
Fri, 02/06/2009 - 07:06 — vsheehanThank you for including the actual numbers. I watched most of the news casts last night. Most mentioned that the drop out rate had dropped but you are the only one I saw who put the actual numbers.
This is OT but to Mr. Hui:
Thu, 02/05/2009 - 15:29 — Big_PictureThis is OT but to Mr. Hui: Do you have any indication as to whether or not there will be a Supreme Court ruling tomorrow?
Based on tradition, it would
Thu, 02/05/2009 - 16:10 — KeungHui (author)Based on tradition, it would be early for a ruling. But you never know.
More Smoke and Mirrors
Thu, 02/05/2009 - 14:33 — kmisegadesThe state still refuses to publish the rate that really counts, the cohort graduation rate. The latest research by Dr. Bill Lynch and presented this week by House Minority Leader Paul Stam to the media puts the actual cohort graduation rate below 60% for the state. The NCDPI is now stonewalling Lynch's requests for more details. The latest state report card from this week also shows that CMS schools have closed the gap with WCPSS schools since abolishing income-based busing in Charlotte in 2002, despite having a substantially larger percentage of Free Lunch recipients than in Wake County. More damning evidence that WCPSS policies have failed miserably. WCPSS officials are surely working harder than ever to put a good spin on more bade news. Watch for an N&O piece from them.
I'm willing to bet this is a
Thu, 02/05/2009 - 14:08 — shearertwI'm willing to bet this is a reflection of the slowing economy. There are even fewer jobs now for non-HS grads than perhaps ever before so they might as well stay in school. My understanding is that community college enrollment is up for this very reason. Why would we assume it doesn't also effect HS drop out rate?
%
Thu, 02/05/2009 - 13:35 — SideburnsC'mon - it's all about percentages. It's no wonder WCPSS wants to be bigger and bigger. You can continue to fail more and more children with the appearance of improving. Typical.
I didn't want to be the first
Thu, 02/05/2009 - 13:33 — g88ky07buttttttt, no kidding! Almost nothing, but you can bet Chuck and Del will be telling us how great they are doing!
Traffic deaths were down 17% in the state as well! Maybe that's because home schooling is up 155% and more parents and children are simply staying home leaving fewer cars on the road!
;c )
Are you kidding me? There
Thu, 02/05/2009 - 13:28 — shearertwAre you kidding me? There is no real "improvement" here. If anything, the headline should read, "Wake's Dropout Rate Lags Behind the State's Non-improvement."