NM statewide graduation rates down since last year

The New Mexico Public Education Department on Friday released statewide graduation rates for the class of 2014-15, which shows declines in rates in most categories over the year before, though numbers remain up since the beginning of Gov. Susana Martinez’s administration.

Statewide graduation rates fell by 0.7 percent in the 2014-15 school year over the year before – from 69.3 percent to 68.6 percent. Those declines were seen most sharply in migrant students, who saw a 25 percent decrease in graduation rates.

Other sharp declines were seen in the African American population (down 3.3 percent) and the Asian population (down 6.5 percent). Rates for Caucasian students fell by 2.1 percent from the year before.

Graduation rates improved slightly for American Indian students (up 1.2 percent) and students with disabilities (1.9 percent).

The state’s largest district, Albuquerque Public Schools, saw year-over-year declines in every group aside from students with disabilities, whose rates were up 4.8 percent.

But Asian (down 7.8 percent), American Indian (down 5.8 percent) and African American students (down 5.6 percent) all saw steep year-over-year declines in graduation rates.

SKANDERA TOUTS RATE INCREASE SINCE RICHARDSON ADMINISTRATION

Education Secretary Hanna Skandera touted the administration’s increase in overall graduation rates since the last school year of the Bill Richardson administration – the 2010-11 school year.

Graduation rates statewide for all students increased 5.6 percent over that time period. The biggest increases were in students with disabilities (12.3 percent), ESL students (8.1 percent), Hispanic students (7.9 percent) and economically-disadvantaged students (7.1 percent).

But when comparing Skandera’s first year as secretary-designate, the 2011-12 school year, to this past year’s rates, the results are not as flattering: graduation rates for students statewide have declined by 1.8 percent, which includes a 10.4 percent decrease in migrant graduation rates and an 8.3 percent decrease among African American students.

The only graduation rate increase over that time period has been a 3.3 percent increase in students with disabilities.

“While our graduation rate remains higher than when we first took office, we still have to get more of our kids across the graduation finish line,” Skandera said in a statement.

Rio Rancho and Las Cruces districts also saw rates decline since last year. But districts in Santa Fe, Bernalillo, Bloomfield, Clovis and Espanola all saw increases – some by more than 5 percent.

Belen saw its graduation rate jump by 14 percent over the past year.

View a breakdown of state and APS numbers here. For reports from all districts over the past several years, click here.