NEW ULM – Local and area high schools generally report higher graduation rates than the average for schools statewide, 2014 data released by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Tuesday shows.

New Ulm High School had a graduation rate of 94.63 percent in 2014, compared to 81.2 percent statewide.

The rate reflects the number of students who graduate “on time,” or with the majority of their class.

Most area schools also reported graduation rates above 90 percent, exceeding a state goal of having a 90 percent graduation rate by 2020.

Some smaller schools, namely Comfrey and Red Rock Central, reported a graduation rate of 100 percent.

“We are pleased that we continue to make positive gains for our students,” District 88 Superintendent Jeff Bertrang said.

“Work continues, so that every student makes positive growth and can graduate at the time they are ready,” said Bertrang.

Bertrang provided historic comparison data upon request.

The New Ulm High School four-year graduation rate (the rate of students who graduated in four years) for 2013-14 was 94.635 percent, compared to 91.8 percent in 2012-13, 93.0 percent in 2011-12, and 90.2 percent in 2010-11, the data showed.

Not all students graduate within four years, and the district continues to work with them and provide additional resources to graduate, said Bertrang. Graduation rates were even higher when students who graduated a year or two after the majority of the class were added in.

The graduation rate from 2012-13 increased from 91.8 percent to 93.67 percent, after adding in students who earned their diploma a year later. Similarly, the rate from 2011-12 increased from 93.0 percent to 96.99 percent as a result of students earning their diploma 12-24 months later.

“Not giving up and continuing to work at earning a diploma is important and we will work with students so that they can be successful,” noted Bertrang.

Districts are allowed to work with students two years after their initial graduation year is completed, and the state then updates the numbers. Some students have life events (family situations, tragedies, pregnancy, illegal activities, to name just a few) that cause them to not graduate with their peers, but they persevere and make it later on, Bertrang further explained.

“They aren’t a ‘drain’ on society,” he said. “Not everyone is ready at the same time.”

In particular sub-categories, District 88 had the following results, according to Bertrang:

The 2014 graduation rate for white, non-Hispanic students was 94.52 percent.

The graduation rate for students receiving special education was 83.33 percent.

The graduation rate for students receiving free- or reduced-price lunches was 81.48 percent.

“We will continue to fine-tune our instruction and interventions, so that students in all categories are reaching over 90 percent graduation rate in four years,” added Bertrang.

State comparison

The state graduation rate increased from 79.8 percent in 2013, and every student group showed an increase from the previous year, MDE reports.

“It is incredibly heartening to see our graduation rates continue on an upward trend,” Education Commissioner Cassellius said in a press release.

“Over the past four years, we have doubled down on our efforts to better support students on their path from K-12 to career and college, and these data show it is working,” she said.

Since 2011, students have shown increases in graduation rates every single year, MDE also reports.

In looking at student groups, the data show an upward trend.

Asian/Pacific islander students posted an 81.7 percent graduation rate, up three points from 2013, and a nine point increase since 2011.

Black students posted a 60.36 percent graduation rate, up nearly three points from 2013, and a more than 10 point increase since 2011.

Students learning English posted a 63.7 percent graduation rate, up four points from 2013, and an 11 point increase since 2011.

Students receiving free- or reduced-price lunch posted a 65.9 percent graduation rate, up two points from 2013, and a seven point increase since 2011.

Hispanic students posted a 63.2 percent graduation rate, up four points from 2013, and a 12 point increase since 2011.

The new graduation rates also show gap closure between white students and students of color throughout the state.

Since 2011, the gap between white and black students narrowed by 8 percentage points while the Hispanic-white gap reduced by 9.6 points.

Since 2011, the graduation rate gap between English learners and native English-speaking students in the state has narrowed by over 10 percentage points.

The gap between students in poverty and their more affluent peers has reduced by nearly 7 percentage points since 2011.

Graduation rates continue to rise, even as the expectations for students have increased, MDE adds. Rigorous math standards adopted in 2007 were in place in 2011, and in 2013, students were tested on new, more difficult English language arts standards.

“While today’s data show Minnesota is moving in the right direction, there is more work to do,” Cassellius said. “We must maintain our urgency, working together to close gaps for all student groups and with that goal of a 90-percent graduation rate by 2020 always in our minds. It won’t be easy, but I believe we can do it.”