Grad Nation: Building a Grad Nation, Progress and Challenge in Ending the High School Dropout Epidemic, 2017-2018 Annual Update

Abstract

High school graduation rates help us better understand how states, schools, and districts across the country are doing at graduating their students, bringing about more equitable outcomes for students facing the greatest challenges, and creating pathways for long-term success. This is essential because a high school diploma has become a prerequisite to postsecondary education and obtaining a livable wage and is associated with a wide range of important health and civic outcomes. Although strong and consistent progress has been made over the past decade in raising graduation rates, too often the same students, particularly those who are Black, Hispanic, low-income, and with disabilities, still have the most disparate outcomes, resources, and opportunities.