GEDs and grad rates

NOVEMBER 20, 2008

It's becoming a fall ritual: The state announces the latest graduation rates. The critics say the numbers are padded by GED diplomas. The Gradebook posts the GED numbers.

Here is a district-by-district breakdown
of the most recent grad rates, with and without GEDs. And here is where you can find last year's numbers.

The current state rate is 75.4 percent with GEDs, 72.9 percent without. And we should probably get used to the "without" rate. The feds are pushing a uniform national grad rate that does not include GEDs, and state Education Commissioner Eric J. Smith has recommended likewise to the Florida Board of Education.

One added note: In Pinellas, which boasted a huge spike in grad rates this year, GEDs accounted for 3 percentage points. Last year, they accounted for 1.1 percentage points.

Ron Matus, state education reporter

(Times file photo)

Posted by Ron Matus at 11:15:01 am on November 20, 2008 in

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About the blog

Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going in on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.

Meet the team

THE TEAM

Rebecca Catalanello covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail her: rcatalanello@tampabay.com.

Tony Marrero covers Hernando County schools. E-mail him: tmarrero@tampabay.com.

Marlene Sokol covers Hillsborough County schools. E-mail her: sokol@tampabay.com.

Ron Matus covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail him: matus@tampabay.com.

Jeffrey S. Solochek covers Pasco County schools. E-mail him: solochek@tampabay.com.

Kim Wilmath covers the University of South Florida. E-mail her: kwilmath@tampabay.com.

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