NEWS RELEASE

Release Date: Monday, March 23, 2009

Contact: Pete Smith, Director of Communications, 601-359-1336

Mississippi Department of Education announces increase in graduates for the Class of 2008

Jackson, MS - The Mississippi Department of Education announced today that the Class of 2008 graduated 599 more students than the Class of 2007. With a larger increase of graduates, Mississippi's economy could see a big boost over the next several years.

"The earning potential of these graduates will benefit the state exponentially by adding more taxpayers to Mississippi's economy. The end goal of the department is to make sure that we provide the necessary resources for our boys and girls to succeed and compete in a global economy," State Superintendent of Education Dr. Hank M. Bounds said.

With a larger number of graduates for the Class of 2008, the dropout rate remained virtually unchanged at 16.0 percent. The graduation rate for the Class of 2008 is 72.0 percent, while the graduation rate for the class of 2007 was 73.8 percent.

Students are tracked and figures are calculated through the Mississippi Student Information System, which depends on self-reported data provided by school districts.

Mississippi is one of only 17 states using the National Governors Association's method to calculate graduation and dropout rates. The National Governors Association endorsed this method through a compact signed by the governors of all 50 states in 2005.

"The momentum for dropout prevention continues to build across the state as more school districts develop dropout prevention programs and partnerships are formed with the business sector and local communities," added Dr. Bounds.

The Mississippi Department of Education's statewide Dropout Prevention initiatives include:

•On the Bus awareness campaign, a $1.5 million grant funded by State Farm®, Insurance Companies.

•Redesigning Education for the 21st Century Workforce in Mississippi, which has been piloted in 34 school districts from 2007 - present.

•School districts and community supporters have developed many local programs to keep students in school through graduation. These plans were submitted to the Mississippi Board of Education and implemented beginning in spring 2008.

•MDE will host a Dropout Prevention Best Practices Conference April 16 at the Jackson Convention Complex. The conference will feature an opening session with keynote speakers at 9 a.m., followed by specialized morning and afternoon breakout sessions for participants. School districts are encouraged to send a "Team of Five" to the conference, including the Superintendent, Dropout Prevention Coordinator, Public Information Officer (PIO) and two community partners (i.e., parent representative, faith-based leader, community advocate, etc.). This is a free event and space is limited. For more information, contact Dr. Sheril Smith at 601-359-3177.

Dropout, Completion, and Graduation Rates