Philadelphia High School Graduation Rates Up 20 Percent In A Decade

By Dr. Marciene Mattleman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - In Philadelphia, Mayor Nutter has set a target for an 80% high school graduation rate by 2014.

According to two articles in the Philadelphia Public School Notebook, one by Dale Mezzacappa and another by Paul Socolar, for the second consecutive year in a row, the graduation rate climbed 3 percentage points to 64% for those starting in 2008 and finishing last year. The School District monitors 6 year completions as well.

The April-May issue shows where there are large numbers of dropouts of those who started in 2006, in North Philadelphia, in South Philadelphia and a small part of 19127.

All high school graduation rates are listed with eleven schools graduating 90% and more and 14 schools with less than 40% in 4 years. For students from closing schools now choosing for the fall and for others moving through the grades, this information is critical for decision making.