FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE,   May 18, 2007

For More Information Contact:

Jonathan Burman or Tom Dunn at (518) 474-1201

Internet:  http://www.nysed.gov

More Students Graduate, Earn Regents Diplomas in 2006,

School Report Cards Show

              More students graduated from high school last year and more graduates earned Regents Diplomas throughout New York State.

              These results and others can be found in the Report Cards for all schools and districts being released today. Both the report cards and a database are available on the web at www.nysed.gov

              The number of graduates in 2006 climbed to 161,732 in 2006, up from 153,202 in 2005.

              The percentage of graduates earning a Regents Diploma (both regular Regents Diplomas and Advanced Regents Diplomas) increased from 70 percent in 2005 to 77 percent in 2006.  The percentage of graduates earning an Advanced Regents Diploma by passing 8 Regents Exams, including two exams in science and two in math, increased from 32 percent to 36 percent.

              The percentage of students with disabilities who received a Regents Diploma also climbed from 41 percent in 2005 to 45 percent in 2006.

              State Board of Regents Chancellor Robert M. Bennett said, “The Board of Regents is working with students, parents, teachers and administrators across the state to improve graduation rates. These results show definite improvement, but it is not enough. It is essential that schools use the increased state funding on practices that work to ensure all children get the education they deserve.”

              State Education Commissioner Richard Mills said, “In the last year there has been a 10 percent increase in Regents Diplomas. More students are graduating from high school overall, and the number of children with disabilities getting a Regents Diploma is up.  The report card cites this and other evidence that schools are improving. We will use increased State funding to accelerate these trends. While the progress is unmistakable, we still have far to go, as the graduation rates make all too clear.”   

              The number of students taking Regents Exams increased in most subjects in 2006, and the percentage passing remained stable, compared to the previous year.

Regents Exam                  Tested                     Percent 55 plus             Percent 65 and above

 English     2006                  208,177                           88                                      78         

                2005                  196,219                           88                                      77

Math A    2006                   235,160                           91                                      79

                2005                  227,043                           90                                      78

Global     2006                     231,982                         79                                      66

               2005                   220,479                           82                                      69

US History

               2006                   202,959                           89                                      79

               2005                   191,130                           86                                      76

Living Environment

               2006                   216,029                           87                                      76

               2005                   206,842                           86                                      76

Earth Science

               2006                   159,802                           87                                      74

               2005                   160,570                           85                                      72                       

              Earning a regular Regents Diploma requires passing Regents Exams in 5 subjects (English, math, science, U.S. History and Governor, and Global History and Geography) and earning 22 course credits. Earning an Advanced Regents Diploma requires passing 8 Regents Exams, including two science and two math exams, and earning 22 course credits.

              Much of the rest of the data in the Report Cards has been released during this past school year. This includes:

• grade 3-8 math and English results;
• school and district graduation rates;
• schools that have failed to make Adequate Yearly Progress and that have been placed on the Schools In Need of Improvement list;
• schools that have been placed on the Schools Under Registration Review list;
• the percentage of classes taught by Highly Qualified Teachers, and
• school districts that need intervention because of sub-par performance among special education students.

              These data can also be accessed at www.nysed.gov, in School Report Cards and “press releases.”

              Other data, including more information about results for students with disabilities, will be released soon.

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