In recent years, the question of how states and districts calculate their dropout rates and graduation rates has become a greater concern, not only because states must include graduation rates as a measure of high school performance under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), but because the American economy is increasingly dependent upon a workforce that has completed high school and continued to some form of postsecondary education. In addition, increased scrutiny has made it clear that self-reported dropout rates and graduation rates by states and districts are highly inaccurate, due to variations in calculation methodologies and inadequate reporting mechanisms.

This sub-issue site provides information on how states are calculating their high school graduation rates for purposes of the No Child Left Behind Act and state accountability systems, the implications of applying different formulas for calculating these rates and the rates reported in the 50 states. Information on who the dropout population is and their educational and economic prospects, dropout prevention programs and funding, “drop-in” programs for out-of-school youth and factors that reduce at-risk students’ likelihood of dropping out can be found on the At-Risk issue site and Dropouts sub-issue site. Information on how states are defining adequate yearly progress for purposes of NCLB, and the implications of various formulas for calculating adequate yearly progress, can be found on the Adequate Yearly Progress sub-issue site of the NCLB Issue Site.

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