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Massachusetts High School Graduation Rate Improves

Jan 28, 2015Associated Press, Council in the News

By The Associated Press

Massachusetts education officials say the state’s high school graduation rate is up to 86.1 percent, with some of the strongest gains among minority and low-income students.

On Tuesday, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced that the four-year graduation rate for students who entered as ninth-graders in 2010-11, or who transferred in, improved for the eighth consecutive year.

In addition, the state’s annual dropout rate declined to 2 percent in the 2013-14 year, the sixth consecutive year below 3 percent and the lowest rate in more than three decades.

The biggest gains were made by black males, whose graduation rate improved by 3.1 percentage points over the previous year; Hispanic students showed a 2.4 percent improvement; and students from low-income families improved by 2.5 points.

Increasingly, the Massachusetts High Technology Council is stepping up to create, execute, and lead critical statewide competitiveness strategies. Fostering a vision for our innovation economy under the MassVision2050 banner, the Council solidifies its position as a thought leader providing valuable insights to navigate emerging technologies, facilitates long-term planning, and reinforces the Council's commitment to excellence and action in the evolving Massachusetts tech-driven economy.

To learn more, contact Council President Chris Anderson.