Local school district speaks on increased graduation rate

MONROE, La. (KTVE/KARD) — A recent study reveals that Louisiana is ranked the third-highest state with high school dropouts in the nation.

Louisiana had 7.36% of high school dropouts, ranking third. New Mexico ranked highest with 8.51% of dropouts, and Nevada ranked second, with 7.42%.

Louisiana is also ranked 47th in the nation regarding education, according to U.S. News school rankings.

The pandemic undoubtedly had a large impact on education, however, Monroe City School Board’s Bill Willson says that several other factors play into this.

Willson says that poverty levels, frequent relocation, and teen pregnancy are some of the most prominent reasons that students will drop out of high school, locally. However, he says that while the dropout rate should be noted, the graduation rate is extremely important.

Willson says, “graduation rate for the entire state of Louisiana went over 90% for the first time, a year ago.” In Ouachita Parish and the Monroe City school system, they are tracking very close to that.

When asked about the preventive measures the system has taken to decrease the dropout rate, Willson says that they have had immense success with the “Jumpstart” program.

Jumpstart was installed years ago in school systems. Willson says that it allowed them to “really improve meeting the needs of business and industry for the technical perspective.”

With this program, each student is given the option to take classes relevant to their future careers, whether that be on the Jumpstart path or TOPS University.

Willson says that Monroe City Schools is devoted to the success of their students, and will continue to do what they must to increase graduation rates, and decrease dropout rates.