Record Graduation Rate: Oregon, Lincoln County schools see improvements

Notably, students completing two credits in an approved Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program of Study significantly exceeded the statewide average, graduating at a rate of 93.0 percent. Students who successfully completed English Learner programs prior to entering high school in Oregon graduated at 86.4 percent, 5.1 percentage points higher than the statewide average and an all-time high for that student group.

“When we combine the tremendous resilience of Oregon’s youth, the courageous, tireless, work of our educators, and the individualized, student centered resources made available through the Student Success Act and other key initiatives, we’re able to make meaningful progress for Oregon’s students,” Gill said. “There is more work to do, and we are ready to keep working to make sure all students have what they need to succeed.”

“Each graduate represents an individual and family success story, a point of pride for their community, and a stronger future for Oregon,” Gov. Tina Kotek said. “It will take focused leadership and increased accountability to continue our recovery and ensure that all of Oregon’s children are better served by our investments in K-12 schools. All of our education investments must be paired with specific strategies to ensure we know how the dollars that are spent are connected to the education priorities that Oregonians care about. Every child is full of promise, and I am committed to creating the conditions for them to thrive.”

Lincoln County School District

Lincoln County School District Director of Secondary Education Majalise Tolan said the district's graduation rates represent growth during a time that required more perseverance and resiliency on the part of students, families, and staff than ever before.

"For the past five years we have been working as an entire school community to analyze data at a group level and find targeted interventions that work for our students who need extra support, while also expanding our dual credit, advanced courses, and career and technical education offerings," Tolan said. "Engaged students are students who are learning and our teachers and administrators have worked to find multiple ways to engage all learners."

Tolan said this year the district also saw a 95% 9th grade on track rate at all of  the Lincoln County high schools, one of the strongest predictors for graduation rates. She added that the schools have been taking the learning from working with AVID and Center for High School Success and expanding it across all grades.

"It is always important to remember that graduation is a like a half-marathon," Tolan said. "Thirteen years of education in a system prepares students for their future and everyone along the way plays a key role.

Other key findings from the statewide data:

• Students completing two credits in an approved Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program of Study significantly exceeded the statewide average, graduating at a rate of 93.0 percent.

• Students who have successfully completed English Learner programs prior to entering high school in Oregon graduated at 86.4 percent, 5.1 percentage points higher than the statewide average and an all-time high for that student group.

• Black/African American students’ graduation rate of 73.7 percent is 0.2 points higher than the previous year and the second-highest rate ever for that student group.

• Hispanic/Latino students’ graduation rate of 78.7 percent was up 1.7 percentage points from the previous year and the second-highest rate ever for that student group.

• American Indian/Alaska Native students had a 1.9 percentage point increase to 68.9 percent, the highest ever for that student group.

• The Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander student group rebounded from a 6.8 percentage point drop for the Class of 2021 to a 4.8 percentage point increase for the Class of 2022. (Because this is one of the smallest student groups it can have large annual percentage swings.)

• The graduation rate for students experiencing houselessness increased 3.2 percentage points to the second-highest level for the group.