This report from the Center for American Progress and Jobs for the Future shows that although high school graduation rates are far lower than previously understood, federal action now can significantly close the graduation gap within the next five years. According to the report, Congress can play a vital role in closing the high school graduation gap by passing the proposed Graduation Promise Act of 2007. This act would establish a federal commitment to partner with states, districts, and schools to raise graduation rates. It would seed and scale up effective strategies and school designs for keeping high school-aged students in school and achieving at a high level of academic performance. And it would put these proven strategies to use immediately in the nation’s worst-performing high schools.
