A recent report from the To&Through Project and the University of Chicago’s Consortium on School Research indicates that the class of 2023 from Chicago Public Schools achieved a high school graduation rate of 85%, representing a record high for the district. The report notes a recovery in college enrollment rates following disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, while college completion rates have remained stable.
Assessment of Educational Milestones
The assessment examined critical educational milestones for Chicago’s high school graduates, including graduation rates, college enrollment figures, and college completion metrics. Despite the increase in high school graduation rates, the report stresses the need for continued efforts to ensure that graduates enroll in higher education institutions and successfully complete their degrees or certificates. It also highlights the necessity of addressing disparities based on race, ethnicity, gender, English learner status, and disability.
Post-Secondary Attainment Index (PAI)
The Post-Secondary Attainment Index (PAI) developed by the researchers forecasts that 31% of Chicago’s ninth graders in the 2023-24 school year are expected to complete a degree at either a two-year or a four-year institution within ten years, coinciding with their 25th birthday. This projection shows only a slight increase compared to the previous year’s PAI projection.
Anticipated Outcomes for New Cohort
For the cohort beginning in the 2023-24 school year, it is anticipated that 31 out of every 100 students will earn a college degree or credential by age 25, assuming current graduation and completion rates hold steady. It is notable that these students were in fifth grade during the shift to remote learning precipitated by the pandemic.
Clarification on PAI Tool
The authors of the report clarified that the PAI is not a predictive tool but serves to summarize ongoing trends in high school graduation and college completion rates. The calculated graduation rate exceeds the official figures reported by Chicago Public Schools, which announced a rate of 84%.
Gender Disparities in Graduation Rates
The report also identifies a gender disparity in graduation rates; male students graduated at lower rates than their female counterparts in spring 2023. Specifically, graduation rates for Black and Latino boys were 78% and 82%, respectively. Additionally, students with Individualized Education Programs had a graduation rate of 55.9%.
College Enrollment Statistics
Among all graduates, 63% enrolled in a two-year or four-year institution either in the fall or spring following high school graduation, reflecting a 2.5% increase from the previous year. Enrollment in community colleges and technical schools has varied, declining from 21.1% in 2018 to 15.7% in 2023.
Chicago Public Schools Initiatives
Officials from Chicago Public Schools acknowledged the rising college enrollment rates during a recent press conference focused on student academic performance, crediting initiatives designed to enable students to earn early college credits, thereby improving the financial feasibility of attending college.
Impacts of the “Freshman on Track” Initiative
Alexandra Usher, director of data and research for the To&Through Project, attributed the increase in graduation rates to the district’s “Freshman on Track” initiative, which promotes collaborative monitoring of student progress within schools.
Student Determination Amid Challenges
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, some students remained committed to pursuing higher education. Dulce Robles, a senior at Prosser Career Academy, expressed her determination to enter the field of computer science through various academic and internship opportunities.
Concerns about College Completion Rates
The report raises concerns regarding college completion rates, revealing that only 54% of students from the 2017 graduating class who enrolled immediately in four-year colleges completed their degrees within six years. Comparatively, the completion rate for those entering two-year colleges was just 31%.
Completion Rates for Minority Students
Among Black and Latino boys who graduated from Chicago Public Schools in 2017, fewer than one-third who enrolled in college directly after graduation completed their degrees at four-year institutions within six years. Those who delayed college enrollment after high school faced particularly low completion rates, with only 1.8% finishing four-year programs and 2.5% completing two-year programs.
Optimism for Future Improvements
Dominique Mckoy, executive director of the To&Through Project, expressed a cautious optimism regarding the prospects for improving college completion rates, noting collaborative efforts between K-12 systems and higher education institutions aimed at enhancing student outcomes.
(Source: Chalkbeat)