Statistics, studies, research and surveys for the last number of years have exposed flaws in the education in the U.S., as well as details and digits on how poorly U.S. teens are faring in high schools; however, new research has indicated that for the first time ever, U.S. high school graduation rates have peaked at 80 percent, according to a new report 2014 Building a GradNation: Progress and Challenge in Ending the High School Dropout Epidemic, released on April 28 by Civic Enterprises, the Everyone Graduates Center, America's Promise Alliance and the Alliance for Excellent Education. Yes, that's good news, but the research does touch on the fact that the needs of low-income and disabled students still must be met.

Over the past few years, improvement has been maintained as the country pursues a goal set by America's Promise Alliance, the group founded by former Secretary of State Colin Powell. That goal: to see American high school graduation rates reach 90 percent by 2020. Well on our way, the national rate has improved annually by an average 1.3 points since 2006. Hispanic students, in particular, have seen graduation growth by 15 percentage points since then, and there has been a 9 percent increase in graduation rates among African Americans. Although, high school students of color continue to lag behind their white counterparts, who graduate from high school at a rate of 85 percent, compared to 76 percent for Latinos and 68 percent for African Americans.

States shooting for the 90 percent goal must focus on improving the lives of low-income students and those with disabilities, according to the report; which made state policy recommendations, including a need to foster college/career readiness -- by perhaps offering financial incentives to "recover" dropouts, like Texas' policy. However, Indiana and Texas graduate low-income students at 85 percent, higher than any other states; but, only six states can claim that low-income graduation rates are at or above 80 percent.

Low-income student graduation rates are below 80 percent in 41 states and below 80 percent for all other students in just seven states. Fourteen states have effectively reached 90 percent graduation rates for their middle- and high-income students, and ten others are very close.

California needs to make major improvements before it can reach the national goal, however, as it houses 14 percent of American students, and one in five students in the state are low-income students. The state has the highest poverty rate in the nation, and the population is 61 percent non-Anglo. Fifty-two percent of the school age children are Latino, and the poverty rate among school age children is at a distressing 63 percent.

Students with disabilities have a graduation rate that's 20 percentage points lower than the national average. Those students represent 13 percent of all students. The 90 percent graduation goal can't be reached without addressing their needs.

Increased national awareness focused on low-income high school students suffering in California and other states, particularly for young men of color, can lead to a change. Holding schools, teachers, and the government accountable is key, because ultimately they are responsible for making sure that the proper resources are made available to low-income and low academic performing students. These students don't receive nearly as much technology, support, or materials.

Research indicates that it is possible to reach the proposed goal, simply by putting more strategy and accommodation into metro schools, which has a high concentration of low-income students; and many of these institutions have graduation rates in the 60s, and some in the 50s. That said, California, despite its tight budget, has been making progress to focus on educating students who could benefit from teachers who have training speaking other languages. Community-based support is being explored, as well as investments in out-of-school learning.

Countering chronic absenteeism; setting students toward the right path during middle school years; effectively stomping dropout rates, and funding outside-of-the-classroom education endeavors are quintessential to boosting high school graduation rates; and it ensures greater education opportunities and assures successful careers.

Related