Superintendent Durkin Details Graduation and Dropout Rates

Though the City is not on par with statewide rates, New Bedford's graduation and dropout numbers at the high school level are improving.

Superintendent Dr. Pia Durkin says the report released by the State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shows the graduation level at the high school has climbed to 63% for the 2012-13 school year, up nearly five percentage points from the year before.

Durkin says while the City's rate pales in comparison to the 85% statewide graduation rate, it's a good indicator.

The New Bedford High School dropout rate is also seeing a bit of improvement, down from 5.3% during the 2011-12 school year, to 4.2% last year. The statewide dropout rate is 2.2%.