If public school districts were graded on their high school graduation rates, the Barker School District would get an A.

The New York State Education Department released 2008 high school graduation rates for every public school district last week. According to those figures, all six Eastern Niagara County school districts surpassed the state average, which is now 70.9 percent, up from 69.3 percent in 2007. Locally, Barker led the way with 91 percent of students who entered school in the fall of 2004 graduating in 2008, an increase from 86 percent in 2007.

“We’re very pleased,” Superintendent Roger Klatt said. “The staff sets high expectations and gets the most out of students. And students desire to meet those expectations.”

To figure out graduation rates, the state education department looks at a class of students entering ninth grade, which is known as a “cohort.” The percentage of students from a cohort that graduates in four years is a school’s graduation rate for that year. Barker’s 91 percent graduation rate in 2008 is based on a cohort of 78 students who entered in the fall of 2004.

Klatt said education in Barker is a team effort in which students, teachers, parents, the school and community all work together to help students reach academic goals.

“In a small school, there is a personal, committed interest from the teachers,” Klatt said. “The community takes pride. They all deserve recognition, it is a total team effort that allows us to have success.”

Four other districts saw improvement in their graduation rates. Lockport City Schools had 75 percent of 447 students graduate last year, up from 71 percent in 2007. Newfane saw continued improvement, as 84 percent earned their diplomas last year, an increase over 80 percent in 2007 and 76 percent in 2006. Royalton-Hartland had 83 percent of their students graduate in 2008, as compared to 76 percent in 2007. Starpoint had a slight increase, 85 percent last year as compared to 84 percent in 2007.

Wilson saw a drop in its graduation rate, with 83 percent of students earning their diplomas in four years in 2008 down from 93 percent in 2007. But Wilson also had 111 students in the cohort that graduated in 2007 as compared to 152 in 2008. In 2006, 86 percent of the 147 students in the cohort graduated.

However, despite the statewide improvement in graduation rates, the state education department said there is still work that needs to be done. There is discussion about the impact of phasing out the local high school diploma, which will happen starting with students who enter high school in 2008, as well as possibly making changes to how a graduation rate is determined.

“There is no issue more important to the Regents than raising New York’s graduation rate for all students, particularly those who have traditionally been in the gap,” Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch said. “While there have been some modest improvements over time, we know that far too many children are failing to graduate. The Regents will work to change that. And we will work to make certain that the data reported to us by schools are accurate and reliable.”

“The policy questions and data are complex, but the human reality of the situation is straightforward,” State Education Commissioner Richard Mills said. “Everyone must graduate with a diploma that signifies college and work readiness. Ultimately, only high expectations make sense and have traction when linked to effective practices and systems that make success possible.”

Statewide, the graduation rate for students with disabilities remains low, the state said. About 41.5 percent of the 2004 cohort graduated with a local or Regents diploma after four years. However, more are remaining in school and fewer are dropping out. The graduation rate for English Language Learners also remains low, at about 35.7 percent. However, 38.8 percent were still enrolled and had not dropped out. Among all students who graduate more are earning a Regents diploma, the state said.

Contact reporter Joe Olenick at 439-9222, ext. 6241.

GRADUATION RATES

WHAT: A percentage of students who enter ninth grade together and graduate high school in four years

CLASSES: Numbers released by the state are from graduating class of 2008

• BARKER: 91 percent in 2008, up from 86 percent in 2007

• LOCKPORT: 75 percent in 2008, up from 71 percent in 2007

• NEWFANE: 84 percent in 2008, up from 80 percent in 2007

• ROYALTON-HARTLAND: 83 percent in 2008, up from 76 percent in 2007

• STARPOINT: 85 percent in 2008, up from 84 percent in 2007

• WILSON: 83 percent in 2008, down from 93 percent in 2007