With its release of 2010 high school graduation rates, the state Department of Education reinforced the case for comprehensive education reform in Connecticut.
Coming just over a month away from the opening of the 2012 General Assembly session ”“ one which Gov. Dannel Malloy says should focus heavily on education ”“ the department numbers showed small gains, but large disparities in the graduation rates based on economic status and race/ethnicity remain.
Statewide, 82 percent of Connecticut high school students graduated within four years, a slight improvement over 2009 when the rate was just above 79 percent.
White students graduated at a rate of 89 percent, compared with 69 percent for black students and 64 percent for their Latino counterparts. In 2009, rates were 87 percent, 66 percent and 58 percent, respectively.
Economically disadvantaged students graduated at a much lower rate (62 percent) in 2010 than their more affluent peers (88 percent). In 2009, the gap based on family income was about the same.
“The 2010 graduation figures reflect gaps in overall academic performance that have existed for years in Connecticut and have shown no sign of narrowing,” said CBIA President and CEO John Rathgeber, a member of the board of the Connecticut Council for Education Reform.
Connecticut”™s achievement gap ”“ the disparity in academic performance that separates low-income and minority students from others ”“ is the largest in the nation.
“That”™s unacceptable for a state like Connecticut that has long prided itself on having a first-rate education system,” said Rathgeber.
“It”™s critical that all students have access to an excellent educational experience and be given the chance to lead productive, fulfilling lives.”
He added that the quality of the education system will largely determine Connecticut”™s future competitiveness.
“Our economy is increasingly dependent on a workforce that can be highly innovative and productive. And that requires higher academic achievement across the board in public education and it also requires closing the achievement gap,” he said.
“The good news is we know what can be done to reach those goals, but it will require political courage.”
Earlier this month, Malloy released a letter to legislative leaders outlining his plan for education reform.
CBIA applauds the governor”™s leadership on this issue and we urge lawmakers to make meaningful education reform a top priority during the 2012 session.
Louis Bach specializes in education issues for the Connecticut Business and Industry Association. Reach him at louis.bach@cbia.com.
