Mpls. Public Schools Reports High Graduation Rates; St. Paul Remains Steady
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) system is celebrating another rise in graduation rates this year.
A report from the school district says more than 64 percent of MPS students graduated within four years, up 5 percent from last year. The report also says graduation rates are up across all student groups:
- American Indian -- up 7 percent
- Hispanic -- up 12 percent
- African American -- up 5 percent
The district says this is the school system's 5th consecutive year of growth in graduation rates.
The announcement comes despite an ongoing battle over who should fill the superintendent's seat at MPS, vacated by Bernadeia Johnson in December 2014. The current interim superintendent Michael Goar was considered for the position, but resigned last month over controversy in his candidacy. The district's other top choice -- Sergio Paez -- was rejected after allegations of abuse at his previous position with schools in Holyoke, Massachusetts.
Meanwhile, St. Paul Public Schools announced that its four-year student graduation rates have remained steady, while graduation rates for Black and Hispanic students both increased.
"In each of the past six years we've seen an increase, and this year we're holding steady," SPPS Superintendent Valeria Silva said. "At the same time, we continue to close the graduation gap for students of color."
