Monday, February 26, 2018

Lynn Graduation Rates 2017

On February 26, 2018, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released graduation rate data for 2017. The data represents the percentage of students who started 9th grade for the first time in the fall of 2013 and graduated four years later. Overall, the 4-year 2017 graduation rate in Massachusetts was 88.3%, an increase of 0.8% from 2016.


Comparatively, in Lynn, the graduation rate is down 1.6% in the Lynn Public School system from 2016:



At the school level, Lynn Tech's graduation rate increased from 78.5% in 2016 to 86.6% in 2017. Lynn Classical and Lynn English saw decreases in their graduation rates.

Lynn Classical did graduate 97.1% of Asian students and 94.4% of African-American/Black students, however, the graduation rates of English Language Learner and Hispanic/Latino students were considerably lower at 36.6% and 65.6% respectively. Lynn English also reported a similar graduation rate for Hispanic/Latino students as well as a 50% graduation rate for students with disabilities.


Among the urban districts, graduation rates ranged from 59.1% in New Bedford to 83.3% in Worcester. These districts collectively represent a fifth of the state's public school Pre-K through 12 student population.

All data taken from: www.doe.mass.edu 

Saturday, February 17, 2018

Lynn Public Schools Continue to See Increase in Student Population

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released the latest enrollment report for the 2017-18 school year. This report indicates that the Lynn Public School system's enrollment has increased by 218 students from 2016-17 report (enrollment figures are accurate as of October 1st of a given school year). This represents a 1.4% increase.


Not all grades in Lynn, however, experienced population growth.
The 12th grade level in Lynn experienced the largest enrollment increase at 12.8% from the last academic year.


Additionally, much of the population increase seen in the city was concentrated at the middle school and high school levels. Interestingly, the elementary school population decreased overall by 3 students from 2016-17.
Lynn English High School, on the other hand, experienced considerable growth (nearly 8%).


Given these changes one has to wonder about changes to specific populations within LPS. Economically disadvantaged students made up 58.6% of the school population this year (though we know there are issues with this statistic), students with disabilities 16% and English Language Learners 21.8%. These figures were 51.7%, 15.5% and 19.9% respectively in 2016-17. The percentage of First Language not English students decreased this school year.


Currently, LPS is the fifth largest public school district in Massachusetts behind Boston, Springfield, Worcester and Brockton.



All data taken from: www.doe.mass.edu