News Release

April 20, 2006

For More Information, Contact:
Will Potter, NEA Public Relations, (202) 822-7823

New Report Calls Data on Dropout Rates Inflated

Researchers Call Increases in Graduation Rates of Black and Hispanic Students "Encouraging but not Satisfying"

WASHINGTON -- A report released today by the Economic Policy Institute finds that high school completion rates for Black and Hispanic students are much higher than widely reported, but notes that wide gaps still exist between White and minority students.

Dropout rates for Black and Hispanic students are not as high as many reports suggest, according to the Institute. The study shows that about 75 percent of Black and Hispanic students graduate high school, whereas other reports have put the number at about 50 percent. Meanwhile, 82 percent of White students graduate high school, the report states.

The gap between graduation rates of White and Black students has narrowed over the past 40 years. However, researchers note that this "is encouraging but not satisfying since there has been little further progress over the last ten years."

The following can be attributed to Reg Weaver, president of the National Education Association:

"Another public school myth has been busted.  Contrary to conventional wisdom, the high school completion rate for black and Hispanic students is much higher than previously believed.  While this is positive news, we can still do better.  Whether the data shows a gap of 70 percent or 7 percent, Black and Hispanic children are not graduating high school at the rate of White students. Little progress has been made in the last 10 years to narrow the gap because lawmakers are only paying lip service to education.  Right now they're considering the biggest education spending cuts in the nation's history.  If we're going to close these gaps, schools need resources, quality teachers and programs targeting the most at-risk students."

The Economic Policy Institute report, "Rethinking High School Graduation Rates and Trends," is available at the Economic Policy Institute Web site.

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The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing 2.8 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.