Data show graduation disparity

Graduation rates released by the Utah State Office of Education on Thursday show Hispanic students and those lacking English skills are struggling the most to earn a high school diploma.

Only 69 percent of Hispanic students in the class of 2008 graduated. A total of 65 percent of students deemed "limited English proficient" graduated, according to the state education office. The rates were down for both groups — 3 percent and 10 percent, respectively — compared to the year before.

State education leaders have the low rates on their radar. "This is something we will continue to look at," said Mark Peterson, State Office of Education spokesman. Other factors, including students' socio-economic status, impact graduation rates, he added.

A total of 78 percent of economically disadvantaged students graduated, while 80 percent of those with disabilities graduated.

"It's a school problem but also a community problem," Peterson said.

Statewide, the class of 2008 numbered 33,447 students, and 88 percent of them left with diplomas. The total number of graduates last year was 2,179 more than in 2007, a 6.5 percent increase. The graduation rate was the same in both years. The figure also means the dropout rate the past two years was 12 percent, according to the data.

The state education office tracked students in the 2008 graduating class from 10th-grade on to arrive at its final numbers.

White students had the highest graduation rate at 91 percent, closely followed by Asian students at 89 percent, according to the data. The rate for Pacific Islanders was 86 percent and 73 percent for black students.

To view graduation rates for individual districts and schools, go to www.schools.utah.gov/assessment/documents/Acct_Grad_Rates_2008.pdf

E-mail: astewart@desnews.com