A study released today by the National Center for Education Statistics found high school graduation rates in Texas are inching up. In 2010, 78.9% of Texas high school students graduated on time.
Lubbock Independent School District said they are above the state average at 79.7% for 2010.
That same report found Texas' four year graduation rate rose nearly 6 percentage points from 2007 to 2010 and LISD is growing their graduation rate even faster.
In just one year, from 2009 to 2010, they grew their rate by 4 percent.
LISD Chief Academic Officer Dr. Kelly Trlica said although that number is going up, having 20% percent of their students not graduate is disappointing.
Trlica said in order to grow that number even more, the state needs to realize Texas' current graduation requirements do not meet the needs of all students. She said it's not about lowering the school's standards, its about having all of their students college or workforce ready.
But, in the meantime, LISD has been taking their own steps to help improve graduation rates.
"We have put a lot of things in place over the last 3 years," said Trlica. "We have expectation graduation where once a year we go out and literally find the students who have dropped out or quit high school and invite them back and give them alternative ways to graduate from high school."
Dr. Trlica said she hopes those programs, along with the state eventually stepping in to adjust graduation requirements, will continue to grow graduation rates here in Lubbock.
