Area schools see modest graduation rate increases
MONROE - Graduation rates for schools in Green and Lafayette counties largely mirrored the positive trends seen statewide, with most schools showing modest increases in 2013.
In the Monroe School District, graduation rates jumped to 90 percent for the class of 2013, up from 89.6 percent the year before and 83.3 percent in 2011. The 2013 rate represents about a 20 percent increase from the 70.9 percent rate seen in 2010.
The Brodhead School District saw a modest increase for the class of 2013 at 97.6 percent, up from 96.9 percent the year before and 96.7 percent in 2011.
The Monticello School District continued to perform at a perfect rate in 2013, graduating 100 percent of its students for the fourth consecutive year.
The Juda School District also saw a 100 percent rate in 2013, up from 94.7 percent in 2012 and 92.3 percent in 2011.
Graduation rates in the Albany School District dropped for the second consecutive year with a rate of 82.8 percent in 2013, down from 84 percent the year before and 84.6 percent in 2011.
The New Glarus School District saw the biggest jump in 2013 for area schools, rising to 98.5 percent compared to 90.9 percent in 2012 and 93.8 percent in 2011.
Darlington Community Schools saw a modest increase for the class of 2013 at 96.8 percent, up from 94.2 percent in 2012. Darlington Community Schools graduated 97.5 percent of its students in 2011.
Pecatonica Area Schools rose to 97.3 percent in 2013 from 96.7 percent the year before, both of which represent a drop from its 100 percent rate in 2011.
Graduation rates in the Argyle School District for 2013 rose to 94.4 percent, up from 93.5 percent in 2012 and 92.6 percent in 2011.
The Black Hawk School District saw the biggest jump in Lafayette County, graduating 96.7 percent in 2013 compared to 92.5 percent in 2012, but down from 96.9 percent in 2011.
More detailed information can be found at wisedash.dpi.wi.gov.
The class of 2013 had an 88 percent graduation rate overall, DPI reported. That is up from 87.5 percent the year before and 85.7 percent in 2010.
A recent report by the National Center for Education Statistics showed Wisconsin's graduation rate for 2012 tied for second-highest nationwide alongside Nebraska, Texas and Vermont. Iowa was tops at 89 percent.
Despite the strong numbers overall, racial disparities persist.
The DPI report showed that 92.4 percent of white students graduated last year, while just 64.8 percent of African American students did and just over 74 percent of Hispanics earned their diplomas.
However, the trend for minorities was positive. In 2010, only 60.5 percent of African Americans graduated, more than 4 percentage points lower than last year. Similarly, Hispanic graduation rates went up more than 5 percentage points over that time.
"Through the hard work of teachers, school staff members, parents, and the students themselves, we are making progress to improve graduation rates for all students," said state superintendent Tony Evers.
Other data showed:
n American Indian graduation rates increased from nearly 68 percent in 2010 to just over 74 percent last year.
n Asian graduation rates went from 83.4 percent in 2010 to just over 90 percent in 2013.
n Females were more likely to graduate than males: 90.6 percent compared to 85.5 percent.
n The graduation rate for students with disabilities lagged other students. It was just about 69 percent, compared with 90.4 percent for those without disabilities.
n Economically disadvantaged students graduated at a rate of nearly 77 percent, compared with just over 93 percent for those who weren't in that category.