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Graduation and Dropout Rates Close to Pre-COVID Levels
LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s statewide graduation rate increased for the 2021-22 school year, according to data released today by the Michigan Center for Educational Performance and Information. Michigan’s 2021-22 graduation rates are similar to pre-COVID rates from the 2017-18 and 2018-19 school years, while dropout rates are slightly lower than pre-COVID school years.
The 2021-22 school year four-year graduation rate increased by 0.54% from 2020-21, to 81.01%. The four-year dropout rate was 8.19%, a 0.54% increase from the prior year.
Below is the statewide trend for on-time four-year graduation and dropout rates. Graduation rates have increased in nine of the last 11 years.
|
2017-18 |
2018-19 |
2019-20 |
2020-21 |
2021-22 |
|
|
4-Year Graduation Rate |
80.64% |
81.41% |
82.07% |
80.47% |
81.01% |
|
4-Year Dropout Rate |
8.73% |
8.36% |
7.77% |
7.65% |
8.19% |
“Improving graduation rates, a return to pre-COVID rates in many cases, are positive signs that our schools are beginning to emerge from the adverse impacts of the pandemic,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice. “While we continue to have a great deal of work to do in this area, particularly with respect to gaps among different groups, rising graduation rates are welcome and a testament to the hard work of students and staff.”
Four-year graduation rates increased for 11 of 17 student groups: African American, white, economically disadvantaged, American Indian or Alaska Native, multi-racial, male, foster care, homeless, English learner, special education, and Early/Middle College students.
The African American four-year graduation rate rose the most of any racial/ethnic group, an increase of 2.53 percentage points to 70.13%, roughly the pre-pandemic level. Still, Dr. Rice noted that there remains a substantial gap between the African American graduation rate and the graduation rates of many other racial/ethnic groups.
Early/Middle College students had the largest year-to-year increase with a four-year graduation rate that jumped from 79.78% to 84.36%.
CEPI also reports graduation rates for students who remain in high school for five and six years. The five-year rate decreased 0.73 percentage points to 83.85%, and the six-year rate increased slightly to 85.21%, a 0.12% increase from 2020-21. Five- and six-year graduation rates for Early/Middle College students were approximately 97%, continuing a trend of consistently high rates among EMC students.
Graduation and dropout rates can be found on CEPI’s MI School Data website (www.mischooldata.org). Under the site’s K-12 Grade Students section, visitors can select a school or district, compare one district to another, and explore subgroup data.
A bureau within the State Budget Office, CEPI facilitates the collection, management and reporting of public education data required by state and federal law. CEPI’s MI School Data website is Michigan's official education data portal to help residents, educators and policymakers make informed decisions that can lead to improved success for our students.
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