Hispanic and African-American students have lower graduation rates than whites in New York State

Rick Karlin:

Fewer than two-thirds of the high school students statewide who should have graduated last June did so, according to statistics released Monday.

The low graduation rate, which has become more apparent as the state refines its data gathering abilities, is "unacceptable," said state Education Commissioner Richard Mills.

"We're upset by the data," agreed Regents Chancellor Robert Bennett, who, like Mills, suggested the Regents need to put more pressure on individual school boards in districts where graduation rates are particularly low.

Monday's announcement was in contrast to others in recent years in which Mills and the Regents celebrated increasing numbers of students passing state-mandated tests, including high school students, who need to pass at least five exams in order to graduate.

The relatively low number of students who graduate in four or even five years is becoming apparent as the Education Department refines the way it tracks students through the system. It also suggests a high dropout rate, as many students who don't graduate quit, although others pursue GEDs or alternate means of education.

The latest numbers also point to a persistent gap between white students, who graduate at far higher rates than blacks and Hispanics, who drop out in much higher numbers. Within five years, 83 percent of white students get their diplomas, compared with 53 percent of blacks and 49 percent of Hispanics, according to the report.

Additionally, the numbers reveal a serious gender gap in which the graduation rate for young men is almost 10 percent lower than for young women, a trend Mills said could have "profound negative effects on our future."

Overall, 64 percent of students who started ninth grade in 2001 graduated from high school after four years. Of those who started in 2000, 71 percent graduated, suggesting that a lot of students require five years to graduate.

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