Vermont high school graduation rate second highest in the country

According to Education Week, the leading national publication devoted to covering public education policy, Vermont s high school graduation rate is the second highest in the country, at 82.3 percent for 2007. The highest graduation rate was in New Jersey, at 83.3 percent. The national average was 68.8 percent.
In addition, Vermont s graduation rate had one of the highest percentage increases over the past ten years in the country.
We are thrilled to see Vermont get national recognition for the accomplishments of our students, said Commissioner Armando Vilaseca. Our state continues to lead the nation, thanks to the support of local communities, our dedicated and professional staff, and the future aspirations of our students.
According to the Vermont Department of Education calculations, the figure is in fact lower than the state s actual graduation rate.
The cohort graduation rate in Vermont for 2007, the percentage of students enrolled at a school who graduate within four years of entering ninth grade, was 86 percent. The rate used by Education Week is the Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI) method to calculate high school graduation rates, which involves progress through the grades to graduation.
Students earning high school credentials by passing General Educational Development (GED) tests are not considered graduates for the purpose of this definition.
Education Week ranked all 50 states and the District of Columbia in their annual report, Diplomas Count. This year's Diplomas Count explores the graduation-rate challenges facing students and districts, and looks at how schools are using data to help students finish high school and earn diplomas. More information can be found at: http://www.edweek.org/ew/toc/2010/06/10/index.html.
More information on the Vermont Department of Education graduation rate calculations can be found at: http://education.vermont.gov/new/html/data/dropout_completion.html.
Source: Deptartment of Education 6.18.2010