DC's graduation rate poised to drop to 42 percent this year following probe into graduation fraud

The Washington Post reports Thursday that the high school graduation rate is poised to drop from 73 percent last year to only 42 percent this year following an investigation that calls last year’s graduation numbers into question.

https://twitter.com/PeteJamison/status/969239880378257408

https://twitter.com/PeteJamison/status/969246462449209345

Perry Stein reports:

Data released Thursday by D.C. Public Schools show that 42 percent of seniors attending traditional public schools are on track to graduate, while 19 percent are considered “moderately off-track,” meaning they could still earn enough credits to earn a diploma.

The likely drop in the graduation rate is the latest fallout from an investigation that cast doubt on the validity of diplomas awarded last year. The graduation rate in 2017 was 73 percent, but the probe revealed that one in three graduates received their diplomas in violation of city policy. Those students had walked across the graduation stage despite missing too many classes or improperly taking makeup classes.

Stein says that even if every student currently considered “moderately off track” managed to graduate, the rate will still top off at 61 percent.

https://twitter.com/Heminator/status/969258311467053057

Dear God. https://t.co/P4LNVsu8fk

— Pradheep J. Shanker (@Neoavatara) March 1, 2018

Obviously, the problem is that schools don’t have enough money … right?

https://twitter.com/Heminator/status/969251769720156161

And somehow, Betsy DeVos is the problem

Remember when they tried to block her from a DC public school, and this snarky headline, also in the WashPost: DeVos criticized teachers at D.C. school she visited — and they are not having it https://t.co/7i7f8Tmrz5 https://t.co/cazQpARs7w

— Cameron Gray (@Cameron_Gray) March 1, 2018

Teachers unions that trap these kids in failing schools make NRA contributions look like Turkish Lira. When you hear more money for schools, it's like spending more money for the same car. https://t.co/kn38NTv8yJ

— Smokin Monkey (@ARaised_Eyebrow) March 1, 2018

This is a national embarrassment. https://t.co/lfTJPnu0Ab

— Pradheep J. Shanker (@Neoavatara) March 1, 2018

This is horrifying. An absolute disaster. https://t.co/5KK3aggyff

— Olivier Knox (@OKnox) March 1, 2018

https://twitter.com/notwokieleaks/status/969242289666166784

Speaking of swamps that need cleaning… https://t.co/ZHkQhPU6UN

— JereCTN (@JereCTN) March 1, 2018

The fact DC is so utterly incapable of governing itself is a pretty big hurdle for statehood. https://t.co/kFmTToGOtL

— Eric Cunningham (@decunningham2) March 1, 2018

"They should totally be a state," they said.

"They've earned it," they said. https://t.co/ygX1UFZMls

— RBe (@RBPundit) March 1, 2018

But still nothing is Bowser's fault. https://t.co/jfUoZOLcH2

— Ben Pershing (@benpershing) March 1, 2018

Even in a one-party town, it is amazing Mayor Bowser has no incredible challenger for re-election https://t.co/AZd2hzlS2u

— Jordan Fabian (@Jordanfabian) March 1, 2018

https://twitter.com/edatpost/status/969246982417108994

But but but public education works! Just look at the progress made since the Dept of Education was created in 1979! https://t.co/hRFufO4isR

— Claude Laydu (@curedecampagne) March 1, 2018

Wait, it gets worse.

https://twitter.com/lukerosiak/status/969251284904824832