It's becoming a fall ritual: The state announces the latest graduation rates. The critics say the numbers are padded by GED diplomas. The Gradebook posts the GED numbers.
Here is a district-by-district breakdown of the most recent grad rates, with and without GEDs. And here is where you can find last year's numbers.
The current state rate is 75.4 percent with GEDs, 72.9 percent without. And we should probably get used to the "without" rate. The feds are pushing a uniform national grad rate that does not include GEDs, and state Education Commissioner Eric J. Smith has recommended likewise to the Florida Board of Education.
One added note: In Pinellas, which boasted a huge spike in grad rates this year, GEDs accounted for 3 percentage points. Last year, they accounted for 1.1 percentage points.
Ron Matus, state education reporter
(Times file photo)
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OK Charlie! That is terrific but we never doubted the quality of our educators.They do a terrific job no matter what little they have to work with! Therefore, Charlie maybe you should take another look at your education budget an come up with some just do reward! For all of our excellent educators and are states before they all scrape up enough money for a bus ticket out of here!
That way you will not have to report a severe drop in graduation rate next year!
but It is just some food for thought.
Posted by: Mr. Concerned | November 20, 2008 at 03:38 PM