More work needed, state ed officials say

The Clarion-Ledger, 6/12/8

Mississippi’s graduation and dropout rates have improved over last year in what the state education leader said is partially the result of more attention being paid to them.

“I’ve always been told that what gets measured gets done,” said state Superintendent Hank Bounds.

The Mississippi Department of Education announced the rates Wednesday, saying there is more work to be done. The state wants to cut the dropout rate in half by 2013.

In Mississippi’s high school Class of 2007, 73.8 percent graduated and 15.9 percent dropped out. For the Class of 2006, 70.8 percent graduated and 17.6 percent dropped out.