Colton Unified Graduation Rates Exceed County, State Averages

Colton Joint Unified School District has exceeded both the state and San Bernardino County graduation rate for the class of 2014, with 84.7 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 CJUSD schools are graduating more students and fewer are dropping out, with graduation rates in the district increasing from a 77.8 percent graduation rate in 2013 and dropout rates decreasing from 12.9 percent in 2013. Data also showed the district-wide graduation rate of Hispanic, Asian non-Hispianic and African American students dramatically increasing in the last year as well, up 7.1 percent, 24.1 percent and 6.5 percent, respectively. The jump in graduation rates brings CJUSD up 6.1 percent higher than the County graduation rate of 78.6 percent, and 3.9 percent higher than the statewide average of 80.8, data shows. Data also shows increases in graduation rates and decreases in drop-out rates at four of the district's high schools, with data from Grand Terrace High School released for the first time in 2014 with its first graduating class. Bloomington, Colton, Slover Mountain and Washington high schools showed a 1.2, 5.4, 6.9 and 9.3 percent graduation rate increase, respectively. In 2014, Grand Terrace High School's graduation rate was 93 percent. “Our high schools continue to work hard every day to help our students succeed in class and to stay motivated and connected to their teachers and each other,” Superintendent Jerry Almendarez said. “We are particularly proud of achieving these kinds of results in the midst of the big changes going on in education: new curriculum, new testing, and an unprecedented amount of new technology being introduced into our classrooms. What is timeless is the focus, dedication and caring of our staff and parents, and of course the hard work of our students.” At the same time, drop out rates at the high schools decreased: by 1.7 percent at Bloomington High School, 1.6 percent at Colton High School; 3.9 percent at Slover Mountain High School and by 4.7 percent at Washington High School. Grand Terrace High School had a 4.7 drop out rate in 2014. Statewide, countywide and district-wide, schools have also seen a decrease in enrollment. Colton Unified enrollment rates dropped from 23,362 students total in 2013 to 23,322 total in 2014, a less than 1 percent decrease. English learner enrollment rates in the district also dropped in the last year, from 6,181 total in 2013 to 5,977 in 2014. This decrease follows the seven-year countywide trend of decline, the CDE report shows. "Our priority is to have more county students college- and career-ready," said San Bernardino County Superintendent Ted Alejandre, "so it's imperative that we continue to grow our graduation rates and steadily decrease dropout rates. Our trends largely mirror what is taking place statewide, but we know there is more work that we need to do here as a region to remain economically viable." 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, like Alejandre, 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."