Alabama using new formula to measure dropout rate

By: Corinne Alcazar | Alabama's13.com
Published: February 25, 2010

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MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA. (AP) - New figures show only 65 percent of Alabama's students graduate from high school in four years with a regular diploma.

School officials announced Thursday the state is switching to a new formula to calculate its graduation rate.

Under the old method, 86 percent of students would be listed as graduates for the class of 2009. Under the new method, that number drops significantly to 65 percent.

One difference is that the new formula only counts graduates as students who receive a high school diploma within four years. Previously, the state counted anyone who eventually received a diploma regardless of the amount of time it took.

State Superintendent Joe Morton told the State Board of Education the new method is more accurate and will help the state make improvements in the long run.