New Education Data Shows Work Remains to be Done

In April, the Department of Education released a new report showing the high school graduation rates for groups of students across the country, including students with disabilities. The report showed a small two percentage-point increase in the graduation rate for students with disabilities from the 2010-2011 to the 2011-2012 school year and great variability between states. In twenty states and the District of Columbia, less than 60% of students with disabilities graduate in four years with a high school diploma. Rates vary from a high of 81% in Montana to a low of 24% in Nevada.

Ten states – Alabama, Colorado, Delaware, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wyoming – have graduation rates between 50% and 60%. These states are excellent places for #6by15 advocacy to encourage your state to get beyond the 60% threshold.