Latest MMSD Today
is available here. This issue includes a look at graduation rates.
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While these numbers look good, I confess I would have more confidence in them if they matched the data from DPI (see
http://data.dpi.state.wi.us/data/graphshell.asp?ORGLEVEL=DI&FULLKEY=02326903ZZZZ&DN=Madison+Metropolitan&SN=None+Chosen&GRAPHFILE=HIGHSCHOOLCOMPLETION).
For instance, MMSD reports 4 year graduation rates for African American students as being 76% in 2005 and 72% in 2006, but DPI reports that those numbers are 60.9% and 64.6% respectively.
For more examples of discrepancies between MMSD and DPI, see http://www.schoolinfosystem.org/archives/2007/08/where_does_mmsd.php
The story in the MMSD today has the reason for the discrepancies.
“The district reports that 78 percent of the African American students who entered high school in 2003-04 graduated four years later. That represents an amazing improvement since 1991-92, when just 46 percent of the African American freshmen got their diplomas four years later.”
DPI includes all students who graduated, including students who transfered to mmsd from other districts.