Analyzing NYC HS Graduation Rates

author : Brad Allen

Understanding NYC Student Performance

I taught in Brooklyn between 2007-2009. My students would be included in this data. I thought it would be interesting to look at some of the graduation rates to see differences across the city. I sought to answer 3 questions:

  • How does performance change between boroughs?
  • How does performance change over time?
  • How does performance change between different demographics?

You can find an interactive companion at my shinyapps page (bradaallen).

Graduation Rates By Borough

Challenging, but Improving Times

  • There is a strong relationship between socioeconomic status and graduation rate.
  • There is also a strong trend of increasing performance throughout NYC at this time. It coincides with the appointment of Joel Klein as Chancellor.

Chart of Graduation Rates by Borough

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Special Education and 2nd Language Students

20-40% of Second Language Students Graduate

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Approximately ~20% of SpEd Students Graduate

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Graduation Rates by Race and Gender

Gaps in graduating rates by race can be almost 20%

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There is almost a 15% gap between girls and boys

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Today's Rates

Steady progress has continued to be achieved in New York:

  • In 2015, the rate moved above 70% for the first time ever (NYT)
  • Still, only 50% of students with disabilities graduated on time (an improvement)
  • The gap between race persists (88% of white students vs. 65% of black and Hispanic)