CPS Graduation Rate Growth Continues to Outpace the Nation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, February 27, 2019

CHICAGO - Chicago Public Schools (CPS) announced today that an analysis of data recently released by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) shows that the CPS graduation rate improved four times faster than the national rate between 2013 and 2017. During that time period, CPS’ 4-year graduation rate improved 15.6 percentage points while the nation’s analogous rate improved 3.2 points. The data also shows that graduation rates among African American and Hispanic students at CPS has improved at more than twice the rate as their national peers between 2013 and 2017.

While the national 4-year graduation rate (84.6 percent) remains higher than Chicago’s 4-year graduation rate (74.7 percent), the district is rapidly closing the gap with a focus on postsecondary readiness and support that has led to significant improvements.

Mayor Emanuel and CPS CEO Dr. Janice K. Jackson released the following statement:

“Chicago is leading the nation with a climbing graduation rate that is improving four times faster than the national rate. When that many students make that much progress, it means the whole city is doing something right together. Students, teachers, principals, parents, mentors and counselors are setting high expectations, shrinking the achievement gap and making Chicago proud.”

Summary of Improvements:

• Between 2013 and 2017, the national 4-year graduation rate grew 3.2 points, while CPS’ analogous rate grew 15.6 points.
• Between 2013 and 2017, the national 4-year graduation rate for African American students grew 7.1 points, while CPS’ analogous rate grew 15.5 points.
• Between 2013 and 2017, the national 4-year graduation rate for Hispanic students grew 4.8 points, while CPS’ analogous rate grew 14.9 points.

Methodology and Data:

• For this analysis, the district compared CPS’ 4-year graduation rate to the national 4-year graduation rate from NCES for 2017, the most recent year available for national data.
• CPS graduation rate data can be found CPS.edu/schooldata.

Chicago Public Schools serves 361,000 students in 644 schools. It is the nation's third-largest school district.

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