Mayor Takes Credit For Improved H.S. Graduation Rates

MAYOR BLOOMBERG: The fruits of school control.

Mayor Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein June 22 announced that four-year high school graduation rate had risen by 3.6 percent to 56.4 percent, an increase that the Mayor credited to his control of schools.

"After years of near-stagnation, our reforms have increased the graduation rate each year since we've been in office," the Mayor said in a statement. "This year, English and math scores went way up, schools got much safer, and many more of our high school seniors have earned their diplomas. This is a great day for New York City schools."

Still Trailing State

The high school graduation rate of 60.7 percent falls short of the statewide average, about 71 percent, but was coupled with a 3.3-percent fall in drop-out rates to 13.5 percent, and a more-than 10 percent rise in graduation rates for English-language learners, to 36 percent.

"I'm especially pleased that more of our students than ever before are meeting the requirements for earning a Regents diploma," said Mr. Klein. Regents diplomas are more difficult to obtain due to stringent exam requirements, but the city has seen a 10-percent rise to a 40.9-percent success rate in the last three years.

"These numbers are encouraging, and I want to congratulate every student, Teacher, Principal and parent for their efforts," said United Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, "but I also want to say that we will never rest until all kids are achieving and graduating."

Ms. Weingarten said that local diplomas were being phased out over the next three years, "raising the standards our students will have to meet to graduate. . . we must ensure that our students, their schools and their Teachers have the resources and support necessary to meet this new challenge."

Fewer Local Diplomas

The percentage of students obtaining local diplomas has fallen slightly, down 1 point this year from 16.5 percent in 2005. Local diplomas have less rigorous standards than Regents diplomas, requiring only 55 points out of 100 to pass, rather than the Regents' 65.

Council of School Supervisors and Administrators President Ernest Logan said, "with attendance and graduation rates growing stronger, high achievement for all students becomes a greater possibility." He added that "the diligence and conviction of our school administrators, Teachers and parents have contributed to all the recent progress in New York City's public schools."