By Adelle Wellens
Four-year graduation rates for Duluth Public School seniors rose 5.6%, exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
“The increased graduation rates are very encouraging as it demonstrates that we can improve achievement outcomes for all students. I am confident the rates will increase every year, especially for American Indian, Black, Latino, and students with special needs,” Assistant Superintendent Anthony Bonds said. “Through our strategic planning and other improvement processes, we have identified areas for improvement. And, we are realigning our systems, staff, and budgets to ensure resources are available to better meet the needs of our students.”
On Tuesday, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) released the class of 2022 graduation rate data. The graduation rate for the class of 2022 was 76.66%, which represents a 5.6 percentage point increase in students from 2021.
The four-year graduation rate for American Indian students saw an increase of 1.48 percent; 1.91 percent for Black students; 0.42 percent for students identifying as two or more races; 11.95 percent for Hispanic or Latino students; and 3.18 percent for students eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
Students who receive special education services also made gains of 4.77 percent, with four-year graduation rates.
“We are thrilled to see the great efforts and dedication of our students, staff and families paying off with these significantly improved graduation rates. We still have a lot of work to be done in a variety of areas, but a strong foundation for student growth is in place,” Superintendent John Magas said. “We anticipate even greater student outcomes with our strategic roadmap and operational plan, which will be approved next month.”