The High School Graduation Rate data from EDFacts, a U.S. Department of Education program, reports the Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) for public high schools. The ACGR measures the percentage of students who graduate with a regular high school diploma within four years of entering ninth grade for the first time. Data are collected annually from state education agencies and include breakdowns by state, district, school, and by student subgroups (race/ethnicity, English learners, students with disabilities, and economically disadvantaged students).

Why does this matter?

High school graduation rates are a crucial indicator of educational attainment and the effectiveness of a city’s educational system. Their relevance includes:

1. Educational Quality Benchmark
   • Graduation rates reflect the effectiveness of the local school system in preparing students for postsecondary education, vocational training, and the workforce.
2. Economic and Workforce Impact
   • Higher graduation rates are strongly linked to higher lifetime earnings, reduced unemployment, and increased economic productivity, which, in turn, influence a city’s long-term financial health. 
   • A national modeling study from the Alliance for Excellent Education demonstrates that halving the dropout rate in the 50 largest metropolitan areas would result in $ 4.1 billion in additional annual earnings, the creation of 30,000 new jobs, and up to $ 5.3 billion in increased local GDP. Additionally, state and local governments would gain up to $ 536 million in tax revenues, while home purchases would rise by $ 10.5 billion.¹⁸
3. Equity and Opportunity Gaps
   • Disaggregated data highlight disparities among demographic groups, helping policymakers address systemic inequities in education.¹⁹
4. Policy and Resource Allocation
   • Graduation rates inform investment in student support programs, dropout prevention initiatives, and college readiness efforts, ultimately shaping local education strategies.