Statement by AFT President Edward J. McElroy On Education Secretary's
 Proposal for a Uniform Graduation Rate Formula

(U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings announced today she will take administrative steps to require states to use a common formula to calculate on-time high school graduation and dropout rates. She did not specify the formula she supports; it will be determined after a public comment period.)

 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Poor data leads to poor policy.  If the common formula is imperfect, it could have a serious and negative effect on schools, since graduation rates are part of the accountability system in No Child Left Behind. The formula most often cited—offered by the National Governors Association—ignores graduation successes by students who earn GEDs, vocational certificates and other nontraditional diplomas.

The key issue really isn’t the formula that eventually will be selected but rather the need for a much more aggressive program to reduce the high school dropout rate. We need to get serious about providing good programs to children as early as possible, such as ensuring  early childhood education programs for low-income children, helping struggling high schools, and addressing a variety of societal problems that impede academic achievement.

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