Michigan’s 4-year high school graduation rises in 2023

As the sun comes out for an unusually warm February in Michigan, the state-released graduation rate data showing a bright outlook for students following COVID learning disruptions.

In the state’s most recent data for students who graduated in four years, released last week, the class of 2023 saw a 81.8% graduation rate, the second-highest in state history after 2020’s more relaxed graduation requirements which allowed 82.1% of students to graduate.

This is also the second year in a row that graduation rates have increased, going from 80.5% in 2021 to 81% in 2022.

And the Department of Education is calling attention to gains in graduation rates for the 13 out of the 17 student groups tracked by the Michigan Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI).

In 2023, compared to pre-pandemic 2019, four-year graduation rates increased for student populations including, Black or African American students, Hispanic or Latino students, white students, Native American or Alaska Native students, students with disabilities and migrant students.

Whitmer continues to champion pre-K for all kids to give them a ‘real shot at a great life’

The increase in overall graduation rates from pre pandemic numbers is a good sign that the efforts of Michigan students and educators are working in improving the educational experience in Michigan, State Superintendent Michael Rice said in a news release.

“While our progress has been significant over the last two years, we have more work to do to address graduation rate gaps,” Rice said. “Local school districts and the department will continue focusing efforts to support students and staff in this regard.”

Notably, military-connected students had the greatest jump in four-year graduation rates from 2019 to 2023, rising from 77.7% to 86.4%, according to state data. However, female students broke even at a four-year graduation rate of 81.8% in 2019 and 2023, after seeing slight decreases as the COVID-19 pandemic progressed.

Although four-year graduation rates for youth experiencing homelessness did drop by .1% from 2019 to 2023, this is the second year that number improved, going from 54.3% in 2021 to 56.2% in 2022 and rising to 58.3% in 2023.

Youth experiencing homelessness had the second lowest graduation rates in the state in 2023, second to youth in foster care which had a 44% graduation rate.

But the overall increase in graduation rates is indicative of an oncoming all-time high in graduation rates, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a news release, pointing towards goals for the next state budget for Fiscal Year 2025.

“Last year, we increased mental health and after-school counseling, expanded tutoring programs to get kids back on track, and delivered free breakfast and lunch to every public school student in Michigan,” Whitmer said. “We are going to build on this momentum, which is why we proposed the Michigan Guarantee in this year’s budget, so every Michigander is guaranteed a tuition-free path from pre-k through community college. Let’s get it done.” 

Whitmer used her State of the State address in January to announce her intention to make the first two years of community college tuition-free for high school graduates in the state. Additionally, she outlined her interest in bumping up previous efforts to make pre-K free for 4-year-olds by the end of 2026, moving the deadline for achieving that goal to the end of 2024.