State graduation rates on the rise

Minnesota high school students posted the highest graduation rate on record in 2016.

The Minnesota Department of Education Feb. 23 released the 2016 graduation rates for Minnesota schools. The statewide rate of 82.2 percent is up one-third of a percentage point from last year and up 5 points from 2011.

"Graduating high school is a crucial step in attaining the dream we all have for success in life," said Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius in a news release. "It is encouraging to see more Minnesota students-especially more of our students of color and American Indian students-reaching this milestone."

According to MDE, 54,024 students graduated in 2016, down from 54,255 students graduating last year. Graduation rate data also show gap closure in graduation rates for students of color. Since 2011, graduation rates for non-white students have increased by 13.1 percentage points. Rates for white students have increased by 3.2 points during the same period.

"In order to close gaps, we need to see all boats rising, but our students of color and American Indian students need to move faster," Cassellius said. "We're seeing that happen across the state, and we need to double down on efforts to help every student earn a diploma."

Local reaction

Locally, at Brainerd High School, the graduation rate was 91.4 percent, with 342 students graduating. This compares to 2015, when 363 students graduated for a graduation rate of 91.7 percent. This is the first time the graduation rate has decreased year over year since 2012, when the rate was 83.4 percent.

Principal Andrea Rusk said her reaction to the school's graduation rate was mixed. She would have liked to see improvement, she said, but still recognized the fact the graduation rate remains over 90 percent.

"We still need to focus on those that we're not getting to graduation," Rusk said. "I think that's important for us always to be looking at."

The school offers a wide variety of programs to promote student success, Rusk said. These range from support programs for students with disabilities and special needs, she said, to programs providing high academic rigor.

"Right now, our task is to figure out how do we continue to make gains?" Rusk said. "How can we break into that last 9 percent, 8 percent, in order to help them get to graduation within 4 years."

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"Right now, our task is to figure out how do we continue to make gains? How can we break into that last 9 percent, 8 percent, in order to help them get to graduation within 4 years." - Brainerd High School Principal, Andrea Rusk

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In order to reach those remaining students, it takes a shared responsibility among students, families and the school, Rusk said. Students who miss school or experience other life challenges struggle to succeed, she said, so the school needs to focus on supporting them.

"We have to figure out how we can provide the best support for the students to come to school every day," Rusk said. "Every day they need to be here in order for us to provide a high-quality program, which I believe we do."

At Crosby-Ironton High School, the graduation rate was 95.3 percent, with 81 students graduating. This compares to 2015, when 72 students graduated for a graduation rate of 92.3 percent. The school's graduation rate has increased every year since 2014, when it reached a five-year low of 82.8 percent.

Principal Jim Christenson referred comments on the school's rate to Superintendent Jamie Skjeveland. The district prefers to focus on how the graduation rate changes over time, rather than what it is in a specific year, Skjeveland said.

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"When families and the school district work together as partners, the concept of dropping out of school does not exist." - Crosby-Ironton High School Principal, Jim Christenson

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"Last year's graduation rate was lower than what our goal is," Skjeveland said via email. "But as a school district, we are able to identify specific circumstances that existed for each student who was identified as a drop out on the data published by the MDE."

Graduation rate is one of a variety of factors which represent the quality of a school district, Skjeveland said. He pointed to the Cuyuna Range Elementary School being named one of six Schools of Excellence for 2016-17 by the Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association and the district's robust science, technology, engineering and mathematics programming as signs of the district's quality.

In order to increase graduation rates, the district works directly with students and families to provide the support needed to prevent students from dropping out of school, Skjeveland said.

"When families and the school district work together as partners, the concept of dropping out of school does not exist," Skjeveland said.

Area rates

• At Staples-Motley High School, the graduation rate was 91.2 percent, with 83 students graduating. This compares to 2015, when 67 students graduated for a graduation rate of 77.9 percent.
• At Pillager High School, the graduation rate was 83.6 percent, with 46 students graduating. This compares to 2015, when 50 students graduated for a graduation rate of 84.8 percent.
• At Pequot Lakes High School, the graduation rate was 91.6 percent, with 109 students graduating. This compares to 2015, when 118 students graduated for a graduation rate of 95.2 percent.
• At Aitkin High School, the graduation rate was 96.9 percent, with 93 students graduating. This compares to 2015, when 80 students graduated for a graduation rate of 93 percent.
• At Little Falls Community High School, the graduation rate was 95.2 percent, with 180 students graduating. This compares to 2015, when 192 students graduated for a graduation rate of 97.5 percent.

Officials sound off

Denise Specht, president of Education Minnesota, in a statement said she hopes the trend of increasing graduation rates will continue, due to investment in early-childhood education and full-service community schools.

"These gains are the result of the hard work of students, parents and educators at all levels of public education. There's certainly more to do, but the progress is undeniable," Specht said in a news release. "And we're hopeful the growth will continue, and accelerate, because we have the blueprint for how to do it."

In a statement, Gov. Mark Dayton applauded the progress students have made over the past five years, but mentioned the work still be done in closing achievement gaps.

'These gaps underscore the need to invest in quality preschool, early education initiatives, and K-12 funding to stop these disparities before they start," Dayton said in a news release. "All Minnesota students need and deserve excellent educations."

Lt. Gov. Tina Smith in a statement mirrored Dayton by emphasizing the need to keep investing in education to close achievement gaps and meet growing workforce needs.

"Our state expects to face a workforce shortage of more than 100,000 workers by 2020," Smith said in a news release. "We cannot afford to leave a single Minnesota student unprepared for the job opportunities of the 21st century economy."