Sunday, April 11, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
Nevada schools rank low
Report: High school graduation rate 39th
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
RENO -- Nevada ranks 39th nationally for its high school graduation rate and last for the number of students who go directly to college after graduation, according to a report by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education.
The report, issued last week, painted a less-than-rosy picture of the state's education system. It also ranks Nevada 49th for both the number of college students who drop out in their freshman year and the number of college graduates who earn a bachelor's degree within six years or an associate's degree within three years.
"Nevada has one of the lowest graduation rates in ninth through 12th grades, and one of the lowest college-going rates in the country as well as one of the lowest college graduation rates," said Patrick Kelly of the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems.
The report was based on 2002 data generated by the company based in Boulder, Colo.
Nevada's high school graduation rate and the number of students who went directly to college worsened since a year ago, according to the report. No breakdowns by county were provided.
Nevada's high school graduation rate of 62 percent is below the national average of 68 percent.
Nevada is addressing its low graduation rate by stressing remedial programs designed to give students the skills they need to stay in school, said Keith Rheault, state superintendent of schools.
