Lawrence, Mass. (Jan. 27, 2014) – Continuing multiyear trends in both categories, the Lawrence Public Schools’ four-year graduation rate went up while the dropout rate went down in 2014.
Released today by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the data shows a 5.6 percent jump in the four-year graduation rate to 66.9 percent. This marks the fourth consecutive year the graduation rate has increased, with a jump of nearly 15 percentage points in that time.
The dropout rate fell more than a point to 4.6 percent, the lowest since the state began calculating cohort dropout rates in 2006. LPS’s gains in this category over the last five years are among the largest of any urban district in Massachusetts, with 151 fewer Lawrence students dropping out in 2013-14 than in 2009-10 (9.4 to 4.6 percent).
“There may be no more fundamental incentive for the work we do as educators than seeing a senior cross the stage and wrap their hands around a high school diploma, so it’s rewarding to confirm that more and more Lawrence students are staying in school and completing that journey,” said Lawrence Superintendent Jeffrey C. Riley.
Riley credited the continued improvement to numerous efforts over multiple years – such as increased focus on student re-engagement and family outreach – while acknowledging the extraordinary amount of work still ahead.
“Today’s news is a welcome reminder to everyone who puts in so much time and effort – teachers, counselors, school leaders – of why it is worth it, and why we can’t let up,” he added. “There remains much room for improvement, but we are on the right path and believe the progress will continue.”
Lawrence Mayor Daniel Rivera noted these gains have long-terms benefits for the entire community.
“The graduation jump in the Lawrence Public Schools is a shining example of the work we are doing to Make Lawrence Better,” Rivera said. “The teachers, the union, the administration, students, and parents are proving, year after year, that the Lawrence Public School system is one that can provide students a curriculum that not only gets them to the graduation podium, but on to college. I commend Superintendent Riley and the Lawrence Public Schools community on their hard work and dedication to our students.”
