08/26/2020
Connecticut Students with Disabilities and English Learners Attain Highest-Ever Extended Graduation Rates
(HARTFORD) - Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona today announced that students with high needs, which includes students eligible for free- or reduced-price meals, students with disabilities, and English learners posted their highest six-year graduation rates to date. Connecticut’s six-year adjusted cohort graduation rate improved to 91.4 percent for the 2016-17 cohort, an increase from 90.9 percent from the previous cohort.
Six-Year Graduation Rate Trend Data by Student Group
|
Student Groups |
2012-13 |
2013-14 |
2014-15 |
2015-16 |
2016-17 |
|
All Students Statewide |
88.7 |
90.5 |
90.2 |
90.9 |
91.4 |
|
High Needs |
78.6 |
82.0 |
81.8 |
83.3 |
84.5 |
|
Non-High Needs |
97.1 |
97.9 |
98.1 |
98.2 |
98.5 |
|
Eligible For Free Lunch |
74.4 |
79.1 |
78.9 |
80.6 |
82.0 |
|
Eligible For Reduced Lunch |
88.3 |
91.7 |
91.1 |
91.9 |
92.6 |
|
Not Eligible For Lunch |
95.2 |
96.0 |
96.7 |
97.0 |
97.2 |
|
English Learners |
72.3 |
70.8 |
75.4 |
76.4 |
76.6 |
|
Non-English Learners |
89.5 |
91.3 |
91.0 |
91.7 |
92.3 |
|
Special Education |
75.4 |
78.0 |
76.2 |
77.9 |
78.8 |
|
Non-Special Education |
90.7 |
92.3 |
92.5 |
93.1 |
93.7 |
“I find encouragement in the fact that our young people from the most vulnerable student groups are persevering to stay in school, remain engaged and overcome challenges to reach this important milestone. We are proud of each and every one of them and must also applaud the dedicated educators, families and school communities who are helping students achieve in the classroom and beyond,” Governor Ned Lamont said. “With a strong focus on equity, we are committed to delivering a high-quality education to all students so they graduate prepared to succeed in college, career and life. This positive news is in an indication that we are headed in the right direction.”
“As schools reopen for the 2020-21 school year after an extended remote learning period last spring, these statistics from prior to the pandemic are a stark reminder of the importance of personal relationships, specialized supports, and engaging pathways that are provided by skilled educators in public schools across our great state,” said Commissioner Cardona. “Our department is committed, as a matter of equity, to support districts with successfully creating a learning environment that nurtures and supports all students so that strong and sustained improvements in extended graduation rates are not left to chance.”
The six-year adjusted cohort graduation rate represents the percentage of first time ninth graders who graduate with a regular high school diploma in six years or less. While there is a standard expectation that students will complete high school within four years, specific groups of students require more time to graduate for a variety of reasons. For example, students who are English learners may need additional time to become proficient in English while mastering content and developing skills necessary for college and career readiness. Students from low income families may need to work part-time to support their families while balancing coursework.
The table below shows the graduation rate for the 2016-17 cohort at year four, five, and six. When comparing the 6-year adjusted cohort graduation rate for the 2016-17 cohort to the 4-year rate for that group of students, the greatest increases are seen among students with disabilities, English learners, students with high needs, and those eligible for free lunch. In total, more than 1,200 additional students reached the key milestone of earning a high school diploma in six as opposed to four years.
2016-17 Adjusted Cohort Four-, Five-, and Six-Year Graduation Rates
|
Student Groups |
4-Year |
5-Year |
6-Year |
|
All Students Statewide |
87.9 |
88.2 |
91.4 |
|
High Needs |
78.1 |
78.7 |
84.5 |
|
Non-High Needs |
97.9 |
97.9 |
98.5 |
|
Eligible For Free Lunch |
76.0 |
76.4 |
82.0 |
|
Eligible For Reduced Lunch |
88.3 |
88.7 |
92.6 |
|
Not Eligible For Lunch |
95.5 |
95.6 |
97.2 |
|
English Learners |
68.4 |
68.9 |
76.6 |
|
Non-English Learners |
89.1 |
89.3 |
92.3 |
|
Special Education |
66.7 |
68.2 |
78.8 |
|
Non-Special Education |
91.8 |
91.9 |
93.7 |
To gather best practices on what it takes to ensure students who need more time to graduate are provided the opportunity, the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) contacted leaders in East Haven, Enfield, Killingly, and Manchester, all of which are districts that have seen improvements in their extended graduation rates for students with high needs and in particular students with disabilities and English learners. The discussions revealed a variety of common conditions that promote the best outcomes for students including:
- An inclusive environment where all teachers feel responsible for the learning and engagement of students with disabilities and English learners;
- A school culture that fosters a strong sense of community and mutual respect among the students and staff;
- Carefully selected staff who possess the expertise, a willingness to continuously improve, and a talent for developing positive, productive relationships with students and their families;
- A range of pathways and choices that appeal to students and keep them engaged and excited about learning;
- Targeted attention to and careful planning for the middle to high school transition, especially for the most vulnerable students; and
- A leadership team that is unwavering in its practice of putting students at the center of all decisions.
For more information on the successful strategies implemented in these districts, please see the attached document entitled Improving Extended Graduation Rates: Insights from Four Connecticut Districts.
District and school level graduation rates are available now on EdSight. In addition to the six-year graduation rate for the 2016-17 cohort, this data release also includes the five-year graduation rate for the 2017-18 cohort.
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