Arizona Indicators

Graduation Rates Low With Erratic Yearly Trends

After four consecutive years of improvement, graduation rates have been erratic since 2004-2005, increasing or decreasing between 3.5-5.4% each year. Overall, Arizona's reported 2007-2008 graduation rate of 73.4% is 6.6% lower than it was just three years earlier.

The future economic success of Arizona’s youth is largely dependent on their ability to thrive in school, transition to quality jobs, and continue the lifelong acquisition of knowledge and skills that are adaptable to new technologies and emerging industries. The Education tab presents a range of indicators that track progress through this complex school to work pipeline. Ranging from school and student achievement to postsecondary readiness and completion, these indicators reflect the quality of our academic institutions and the success of our students and graduates.

As careers in science and engineering are likely to drive a globally competitive economy, it is especially important for Arizona’s educational system to produce students with high-levels of knowledge and skills in these areas. Data analyses regarding high school completion and college degree attainment indicate that Arizona schools need to be better prepared to participate in a competitive job market. Estimates suggest that less than 75% of Arizona students graduate high school and the percentage of degrees awarded in science and engineering is declining as a share of total degrees earned. By increasing awareness of this type of trend, Arizona Indicators hopes to inform policy choices that will position Arizona youth to be competitive on state, national, and international levels.