California High School Dropout Rate Tops 18 Percent

SACRAMENTO (AP) -- A new study says three out of four California students graduated high school last year but a significant number of blacks, Hispanics and English learners failed to complete their schooling.

The California Department of Education says 74.4 percent of those who started high school in 2006 graduated in 2010 while the statewide dropout rate was 18.2 percent.

The dropout rate fell from 2009 and graduation rates were up but specific comparisons aren't possible because the latest study is based on new methodology.

Another 7.4 percent of students were still in school or in non-diploma programs for the disabled, or they left school by taking the GED test.

Nearly 90 percent of Asians and about 83 percent of whites graduated, compared to only 68 percent of Hispanics, 59 percent of blacks and 56 percent of students who are learning English.

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