MATTER

Dropout rates
are far higher
for Black
students
than for other
students, and
conversely,
graduation
rates are
lower.
Dropout rates are far higher for Black students than for other students, and conversely,
graduation rates are lower. In fact, the gap in graduation rates between African
American students and their White peers is 20 percent, and the gap between African
American and Asian students is an astounding 24 percent (see Figure 9).
Overall, 68 percent of California’s Black students graduate from high school in four
years. But this state-level figure masks enormous variability at the school level. Most
high schools actually exceed this 68 percent figure. In fact, three-quarters of traditional
high schools graduate 80 percent or more of their Black students. The really abysmal
graduation rates are found in the most segregated high schools. In addition, Black
students are disproportionately found in alternative schools like continuation schools,
juvenile court schools, and others. While the state does not publicly report graduation
rates for these types of high schools, the missions of these schools and the limited
data available suggest that their graduation rates are quite low.
1 IN 5 BLACK HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
IN CALIFORNIA DROP OUT
AFRICAN AMERICAN
12 %
20 %
68%
LATINO
10%
14%
77%
ASIAN
3%
5 %
92%
WHITE
5%
8 %
88%
TWO OR MORE RACES
6 %8 %
86%
8 % 12%
STATE 81%
Other
Dropout
Graduating in 4 Years
FIGURE 9: 2014 Cohort graduation and dropout rates
Source: California Department of Education. Note: “Other” includes students who are still enrolled and those
who have completed high school without a diploma. Data may not sum precisely to 100 due to rounding.
16 THE EDUCATION TRUST–WEST | BLACK MINDS MATTER | OCTOBER 2015