La Grande School District reflects on recent graduation rates
By Garrett Christensen on Wednesday, January 31st, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – (Release from the La Grande School District) On January 25, 2024 Oregon Department of Education (ODE) released validated 4-Year and 5-Year Graduation and Completer Rates. The state celebrated a “statewide graduation rate for the class of 2023 at 81.3 percent, tying the previous class as the second highest graduation rate ever recorded in Oregon” and “all-time highs for graduation including former English Learners (87.6%) and Migrant students (81.6%).”
To support our families and community in accurately understand the information released last Thursday, it is important to know some key definitions:
1. A “4-Year Graduate” is a student who completes a LHS, Oregon, or Oregon Modified Diploma in a four-year period (Class of 2022).
2. A “4-Year Completer” is a student who completes one of the diplomas listed above and also includes those that complete a GED, Extended Diploma, or Alternative Certificate in a four-year period (Class of 2022).
3. A “5-Year Graduate” is a student who completes a LHS, Oregon, or Oregon Modified Diploma in a five-year period (Class of 2023).
4. A “5-Year Completer” is a student who completes one of the diplomas listed above and also includes those that complete a GED, Extended Diploma, or Alternative Certificate in a five-year period (Class of 2023).
The La Grande School District Strategic Plan has maintained a focus on student graduation and/or completion of high school with a diploma, GED, or state-recognized alternative certificate (Indicator 2c). The data released by the state demonstrates the continued work and progress of LHS staff and students to successfully complete high school. Major highlights in the data released on Thursday include:
• While only 68.9% of the Class of 2022 graduated with a diploma as part of the 4-Year Graduation Rate, an additional 5 students completed diplomas, 11 completed GEDs, and 4 completed alternative certificates for an 87.8% 5-Year Completer Rate – an 18.9% improvement.
• La Grande School District had an 84.5% 4-Year Graduation Rate (diplomas only) for the Class of 2023 – a 15.6% improvement from the year prior.
• La Grande School District had an 89.9% 4-Year Completer Rate (diplomas and other certificates for the Class of 2023.
• The Class of 2023 saw increased graduation and completer rates in all demographic categories ranging from 15.6% – 26.2% with no demographic group showing a decrease in graduation or completion rates.
• Students with Disabilities graduated at a substantially higher rate than in the previous year at 83.3% and narrowed the gap in graduation rates as compared with their non-disabled peers from 14.3% to 7.4% – an almost 50% decrease.
• Students that participated and completed a CTE Pathway (3 or more CTE credits) graduated at a rate over 95% illustrating the power of hands-on learning in helping students stay in school and graduate at high levels.
La Grande School District is proud of the work our students, staff, and families poured into completing high school with a diploma or state-recognized certificate. In particular those of the Class of 2022 that continued to work after the formal graduation ceremony and that supported an additional 20 students in completing diplomas, GEDs, or alternative certificates is to be commended. The increased graduation and completion rates for the Class of 2023 is also a commendable achievement. Thank you to all who work so hard to help students complete high school and provide a positive first step into college and/or careers and beyond.
