Florida graduation rates continue to soar

Tallahassee, Fla., January 5, 2016 – Graduation rates for the class of 2015 resulted in Florida achieving a 12-year high, according to data released today by the Florida Department of Education. Florida’s statewide graduation rate climbed to 77.8 percent, an increase of more than 18 percentage points since 2003-04 and 1.7 percentage points over last year.

Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart said, “This news is further evidence that Florida’s public education system is serving our students well. More students are achieving success by earning a diploma, which will enable them to pursue higher education and meaningful careers. I am grateful for the parents and educators who have supported these students in their education thus far and I want to congratulate the graduates and encourage them to continue chasing their dreams.”

Florida’s Graduation Rates, 2003-04 through 2014-15

Highlights of the class of 2015 graduation rates include:

• The statewide graduation rate jumped 18.6 percentage points since 2003-04, up from 59.2 percent in 2003-04 to 77.8 percent in 2014-15.
• Since 2010-11, the statewide graduation rate has increased 7.2 percentage points.
• African American students’ graduation rate increased 9.3 percentage points since 2010-11 and 3.2 percentage points since last year.
• The graduation rate for Hispanic students rose 7.3 percentage points from 2010-11 and 1.7 percentage points over 2013-14.

About Florida’s Graduation Rates, 2003-04 through 2014-15

The graduation rate measures the percentage of students who graduate within four years of their first enrollment in ninth grade. The rate is calculated for an adjusted cohort of students – a group of students on the same schedule to graduate – taking into account those who enter or exit the group.

Florida’s graduation rate only considers standard diploma recipients as graduates in the calculation. Students who earn a special diploma, a GED-based diploma, a certificate of completion, or have been retained and are still in school after four years are counted as non-completers in the calculation. Florida’s graduation rate has risen by 7.2 percentage points since 2010-11 and 18.6 percentage points since 2003-04.

Florida’s graduation rate is 77.82 percent, but that does not mean that 22.28 percent of students in the cohort are dropouts. Nongraduates include students who have been retained and are still in school, received certificates of completion or received GED-based diplomas. In Florida’s 2014-15 cohort, 4.09 percent of the students dropped out and 18.09 percent are still enrolled in school, earned a certificate of completion, special diploma or GED-based diploma.

For more information about the 2014-15 graduation rates, visit Graduation Rates on the Florida Department of Education's website.

Tags: Education