California high school students graduating at record rate

High school graduation rates hit a record high across California, with the biggest gains made by students most at risk of dropping out, according to statewide figures released Tuesday.

The 2015 data showed increases among all demographics, with the largest strides made by student groups with the lowest historical graduation rates — African American and Hispanic students, English learners, and migrant students.

The jumps, mirrored in many Bay Area districts, trace in part to the elimination of the High School Exit Exam graduation requirement, which the state suspended last year, officials said.

[...] the increases follow a six-year trend of improvement in graduation rates, going back well before the Exit Exam was put on hold, said state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson.

The state and the Bay Area also achieved gains in the percentage of graduates who were college-ready — meaning they met eligibility requirements for the University of California or California State University systems.

Some district officials said additional state funding for low-income students and English learners helped focus attention and services on the most at-risk kids.

The district used extra state funding to pay for summer school and after-school classes, so lagging students could catch up on required courses, said Superintendent Janet Schulze.