High School Graduation Woes

A new national study shows that one quarter of high school students in Indiana don`t graduate. 27% of Indiana students don`t graduate high school. That`s according to a new study by the Editorial Projects in Education Research Center. The state by state study shows Indiana ranking 23rd when it comes to graduation rates. Mytron Lisby of the Vigo County School Corportation wants to point out that these are simply early estimates. "The state will not have the official graduation rate until October of this year, 2006--but we`re certain, that the estimates being put out, are pretty close," he says. Close, statewide. But here in Vigo County, graduation rates are up, to about 98%. But there still are some who think dropping out is the way to go. "When you go and you start talking to kids who have dropped out, almost every one of them wishes they had found a way to stay," says Lisby. But there is hope for those who haven`t finished high school. The Vigo County GED program is one where you can take classes at your own pace, no matter what your age. "We have a lot of students that are probably 17, 18, 19--in that age range--and I think across the state and nation, the average age for a participant or graduate is 24. Our teachers are probably a lot different because I think we kind of, in a way, mother them, so they`re there and we`re there to support them," says Marylyn Rolle of the Vigo County Adult Education Program. But, in a new graduation rate calculation starting with the 2006 graduating class, those who come back to get their GED after dropping out will still be considered dropouts. "Every one of those people, in this formula situation, will be counted as a dropout--I think that`s ashame," says Lisby. In Vigo County alone, nearly 600 people receive GED`s each year. And that`s 600 more Hoosiers who have a better chance at a brighter future. You can find our more at: --www.learnmoreindiana.org. That site is the state`s communication effort to support improving student achievement and increase the educational attainment of all Hoosiers.