November 1, 2009

Florida Public High School Graduation Rates, 2008-09

The Florida Department of Education, Office of Education Information and Accountability Services report says that in September 2009, the Florida State Board of Education (SBE) approved the state's new high school grading formula, which incorporates graduation rates into the grading of high schools. The new grading formula is the state's National Governors Association (NGA) Compact rate, which includes standard and special diplomas but excludes General Education Diplomas (GEDs), both regular and adult. Florida's NGA high school graduation rate has consistently increased during the past five years, from 69.7% in 2004- 05 to 76.3% in 2008-09. The SBE adopted the NGA Compact rate because the U.S. Department of Education is moving all states to adopt a uniform calculation method by 2010-11, that includes standard diplomas but excludes GEDs and special diplomas.