4-year high school graduation rate

Students graduating from high school in four years

Definition: Percent of students who graduate with a regular high school diploma within four years.

This indicator is included in the Preparation & Transitions section of the Condition of Education in the Commonwealth Data Report focusing on a range of learning experiences to ensure college and career readiness. Critical steps include completion of ninth grade coursework and mastery of a rigorous program of study. Steps must also be taken to prevent students from dropping out, as well as to reengage and recover youth disconnected from school and/or employment to ensure future learning and success.

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education: 2018 Graduation Rate Report (District) for All Students 4-Year Graduation Rate

Low socioeconomic status: For the purposes of this report, low socioeconomic status is used as an umbrella term for such designations as: subsidy eligibility, low income, economically disadvantaged, and Pell grant recipients as defined by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, or Massachusetts Department of Higher Education.

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education calculates “economically disadvantaged” (used for school year 2015 data and after) based on a student's participation in one or more of the following state-administered programs: the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); the Transitional Assistance for Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC); the Department of Children and Families' (DCF) foster care program; and MassHealth (Medicaid).

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Understanding the Economically Disadvantaged Indicator.

Note: It is important for users of this data to understand that enrollment percentages and achievement data for "economically disadvantaged" students cannot be directly compared to "low income" data in prior years (prior to 2015) or other low income designations.

*While comparing indicators, please keep in mind that different data sources use different definitions of student subgroups.