Highline Public Schools announced Wednesday (Nov. 2) that its graduation rate has risen for the third year in a row, to nearly 75 percent for the Class of 2016.
The official graduation rate of 74.8 percent represents a jump of more than 12 points in two years, the district said.
The increase comes at a time when standards for graduation are higher than ever and increasing numbers of Highline students are taking challenging, advanced coursework.
Evidence that students are meeting higher standards includes the following:
- Classroom instruction is based on new, more rigorous state learning standards that challenge students to learn at higher levels than previous state standards.
- Increasing numbers of Highline students are enrolled in challenging coursework, such as Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB). Last year, 941 students took AP classes. Seventy-four percent of last year’s seniors took at least one AP or IB class. Students at all four main high school campuses took advantage of expanded computer science offerings, an option few high schools in Washington offer.
- In order to meet state graduation requirements, all students must demonstrate their learning on the Smarter Balanced Assessment and other state exams, which are more challenging than past state exams, or must complete a state-approved alternative.
- Highline’s credit requirements are higher than the state’s. The state requires 20 high school credits for graduation; Highline students must earn 23 credits to graduate.
The grades have all risen “Nationally”. 83 .2 percent for 2016 per US govt. stats.. Please correct me if I misread.. Good work to all students Nationwide.
I think you meant “graduation rate”, Robert, which is higher everywhere this year. Not just Highline.