While statewide graduation rates remained stable at 74%, the Rochester City School District saw a drop in students graduating in 2012. That’s according to the latest graduation rates released Monday by the New York State Education Department. The District graduated 43% of its students in 2012, compared to 45.5% percent in 2011. Superintendent Bolgen Vargas said the District can’t improve student learning if doesn’t improve the quantity and quality of instruction.
"The graduation rate in the long run will improve when we improve our elementary and middle school,” Vargas said. “Cause we have far too many of our students are coming to 9th grade without the skill-set that are necessary to do homework," Vargas said.
According to Vargas three critical changes are necessary to reverse these rates which include improving attendance, increasing instructional time, and introducing a more rigorous curriculum to the classroom. He also renewed his call for better collaboration between the District, families and the community.