Val Verde Unified Graduation Rates Exceed State and County Rates

Val Verde Unified School District has exceeded both the state and Riverside county graduation rate for the class of 2014, with 91.2 percent of students earning a high school diploma, new data released by the California Department of Education shows. The data released April 28 shows that VVUSD schools are graduating more students and fewer are dropping out, with graduation rates in the district increasing from 90.2 percent in 2013 and dropout rates decreasing from 5.9 percent in 2013 to 5.3 percent in 2014. Data also showed increases in the graduation rates of Hispanic/Latino, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Pacific Islander and Caucasian students, up .8 percent, 33.3 percent, 50 percent and 6 percent, respectively. However, graduation rates decreased district-wide amongst Asian, Filipino and African American students, as well as those who identified as two or more races, data shows. The jump in graduation rates brings VVUSD up 10.4 percent higher than the state graduation rate of 80.8 percent and 6.1 percent higher than the county-wide graduation rate of 85.1 percent in 2014, data shows. Data also shows increases in graduation rates at two of the district's high schools. Citrus Hill High and Val Verde Academy high schools showed a 1.7 and 7.5 percent graduation rate increase, respectively. The graduation rate at Rancho Verde High School dropped slightly from 96.4 percent in 2013 to 96.1 percent in 2014, according to the CDE report. At the same time, dropout rates at Citrus Hill and Val Verde Academy also decreased: by 1.3 percent at Citrus Hill and 4 percent at Vista del Lago High School. The dropout rate at Rancho Verde increased by .1 percent. Statewide, countywide and district-wide, schools have also seen a decrease in enrollment. Val Verde Unified enrollment rates dropped from 19,832 students total in 2013 to 19,796 students total in 2014, a less than 1 percent decrease. English learner enrollment rates in the district also dropped in the last year, from 4,935 total in 2013 to 4,642 in 2014. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson credited a variety of influences in the increase of California high school graduation rates, including the collection of more precise data, which Torlakson said has put a spotlight on graduation rates and helped teachers and administrators adjust instruction for all students - particularly for those most in danger of failing or dropping out. Despite record graduation rates, however, Torlakson said there's still work to be done. "I challenge educators, parents, students, and community leaders to continue the hard work needed to help every student graduate," he said, "and to make a special effort to raise graduation rates for English learners and Latino and African American students."