LAX Leader

Los Angeles Unified had its highest four-year graduation rate, with 86.1% of students graduating in 2021-22 — meaning more students than ever completed their requirements for graduation and are now headed to college or into a career. This represents a 4.5% increase from 2020-21 and a remarkable 7% increase from 2018-19. Graduation rates also increased for all reported student groups, including all ethnicity categories, students with disabilities, English learners and socioeconomically disadvantaged, homeless or foster youth. 

The data also confirms the percentage of the four-year cohort that met all UC/CSU A-G requirements is 50.5%, which is an increase of 2.4% from 2020-21 and 3.8% from 2018-19. Increases in UC/CSU requirement completion were consistent across all targeted student groups including students with disabilities, English learners and socioeconomically disadvantaged, homeless or foster youth. Further, Los Angeles Unified’s dropout rate declined from the prior year, with the rates declining steadily since 2018-19.

“We are confident that early signs of success are beginning to manifest from the 2022-26 Strategic Plan and our vision of transforming Los Angeles Unified into the premiere urban District in the nation is being actualized,” Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said. “The Los Angeles Unified school community has demonstrated an indefatigable resiliency in the face of challenges from the pandemic, and this latest data point validates the progress we are making.”

Through the diligent efforts of Los Angeles Unified educators and staff, numerous strategies to combat learning loss from the pandemic have been implemented and are mitigating enrollment decline, chronic absenteeism and educational setbacks. These initiatives include focusing on student outreach and attendance, implementing enrollment strategies that bring students into the District, expanding tutoring options to provide additional instruction time and addressing whole child wellbeing to deliver a holistic education that responds to academic, social-emotional and psychological needs.

“Today we celebrate our students and this landmark achievement,” Board President Kelly Gonez said. “With the dedication and support of our teachers, administrators and staff, our students were able to thrive and succeed despite the difficulties posed the last two years by the pandemic.”

“This is an incredible achievement in our goal of preparing every child to graduate college-and-career ready, especially in light of the unprecedented crisis our school communities have endured,” Board Vice President Nick Melvoin said. “We will continue working to ensure that every student has the opportunity for post-secondary success.”

“I celebrate the success of our students as well as the school site staff and administrators that provide a positive environment for academic achievement,” Board Member Dr. George McKenna said. “As a former Principal, it is always rewarding to see academic gains.”

“While it’s important to dig deeper into any disparities across vulnerable groups, the upward trend of graduation rates hopefully signals what‘s possible when parents, students, educators and the community pull together during the most challenging of times,” Board Member Dr. Rocío Rivas said.

“We share this wonderful news with the parents, school administration and staff and our students,” Board Member Scott M. Schmerelson said. “These past 3 years did not deter anyone from achieving what we all knew was possible. We can only look forward to greater accomplishments and preparations for our students to be college prepared and career ready.”

“Congratulations and thank you to all of our school staff for helping our students reach this milestone,” Board Member Jackie Goldberg said. “Our students thrive in an environment where they are daily supported by attentive and caring educators and school staff. This achievement is also due to the incredible families in our district who support their children and invest in their future success. Here's to an even better 2022-23 where more students will graduate Ready for the World!”

“While we are not yet where we want to be for graduation rates of the second largest school district in the country, we are making important progress,” Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin said. “I am hopeful that with each increase, more students — especially students from historically underserved groups — can choose to attend college and are prepared for the career and life of their dreams.”

Los Angeles Unified is committed to the long-term sustainability of the District through budgetary, programmatic and human resources strategies. The District is concentrating on schools offering effective, engaging programs that ensure all students are ready for the world. Public education has never been more critical to the future demands of the world following a pandemic and the upending of societal needs. Los Angeles Unified is focused on equipping the next generation of problem solvers and changemakers to be prepared for tomorrow’s challenges.

Original source can be found here