KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The state’s high school graduation statistics are out and show that numbers are up again in the Kalamazoo Public School district.
School Trustees got a preliminary report from the Michigan Department of Education and the Center for Educational Performance, also known as CEPI, at their meeting Thursday evening.
The report says while the percentage of students graduating took a small dip, the number of seniors receiving their diplomas in 2019 was actually up, the highest its been since the Kalamazoo Promise scholarship program began.
In 2005 there were 454 graduates, in 2018 it jumped to 692, and in 2019 that number increased to 715 KPS graduates.
Assistant Superintendent Cindy Green says the numbers put Kalamazoo well ahead of other comparably sized school districts.
During the meeting, KPS Director of Secondary Education Johnny Edwards also explained that while this study is about seniors, turning out successful graduates is really a process that begins with parents at birth.
Trustees asked for a more comprehensive break down of the graduation statistics after staff has had time to analyze the state report.
Statewide, the graduation rate for the 2018-19 school year rose to 81.41% compared to 80.64% the year before. Michigan’s school dropout rate also fell, going from 8.73% in 2017-18 to 8.36% last year.
Specific data for each district in Michigan can be found here.
(John McNeill contributed to this report.)
