The city’s 4-year high school graduation rate dipped last year for the first time in a decade – edging down to 60.4 percent, according to state education officials.
The city’s graduation rate was 60.9 percent in 2011, according to state calculations.
The city’s slide mirrored those in other big cities across the state, even though the state’s overall graduation rate held steady at 74 percent.
State officials said the minor drops had been expected because of increased graduation standards.
Last year’s graduating class was the first that needed a 65 out of 100 on all five Regents exams in order to earn a high school diploma.
The old passing mark, which was raised gradually over five years, had been 55.
“Despite all the naysayers, raising standards was the right thing to do,” said State Board of Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch. “Our teachers and students rose to the challenge. Now it’s time to rise to the next challenge.” Curriculum and exams in high schools are being aligned with higher standards known as Common Core starting in the coming school year – meaning grad rates could continue to sag for a number of years.
The hike of standards comes in reaction to a disconnect between high school graduation rates and measures of college readiness.
Nearly 80 percent of city public high schools grads who enrolled at CUNY 2-year colleges required remediation in math, reading or writing last year.
The city’s calculation of its high school graduation rates for 2012 – which include August graduates – is being released later today.
The city put its graduation rate at 65.5 percent in 2011.