Guest commentary: High school rates improve, but there is more work needed

By Israel Ortega

A new report by America's Promise Alliance -- an education research and advocacy organization founded by Colin Powell, a former four-star general -- has mixed news regarding our country, and Missouri's high school graduation rates.

First the good news. According to the authors of the report, nearly 80 percent of American high school students will complete their studies and obtain a high school diploma. Given the competitive nature of the current job market, a basic high school diploma is basically a prerequisite for long-term meaningful employment. And as the authors of the study contend: "Graduates are less likely to engage in criminal behavior or receive social services. They have better health outcomes and higher life expectancies."

Which is why the overall numbers for Missouri are encouraging. According to numbers from 2012, there was an overall 86 percent graduation rate.

However, when you dig into the numbers, there is plenty of reason to sound the alarm, as the high school graduation rate for low-income Missourian students stands at only 39 percent. In other words, less than half of these students will walk on stage to receive a high school diploma.

These low numbers are reflective of what we're seeing in other parts of the country. Many low-income students struggle to complete their studies. What's more, many of these students are mostly African-American and Hispanic students.

And although the overall numbers are improving for African-American and Hispanic students, the report makes clear there is more work that needs to be done.

A summary of their recommendation states: "In a sub-set of Midwestern and Southern states, which educate a large percentage of African American students, graduation rates for African American males remain in the upper 50s and low 60s. The nation cannot prosper when too many young men of color are still not receiving the supports and opportunities needed to obtain a high school diploma."

Sobering words that indeed demand a call to action.

Thankfully, the American people are demanding meaningful reforms to improve our country's education system to ensure that every student receive a quality education. Besides demanding increased accountability and transparency, parents are also asking that they have increased freedom in deciding where to send their children to school. A pretty simple concept that is sometimes unavailable to many parents who don't have the means or ability to take their children from failing or inadequate schools.

Every January National School Choice Week calls attention to this injustice by bringing together an impressive list of supporters that span the political spectrum by holding events throughout the country making over a dozen stops where parents, students and educators make the case for school choice.

The most recent National School Choice Week celebration comprised of more than 5,500 independently organized events demanding that every parent should have the opportunity to decide which type of education is best for their children, whether it's: traditional public, public charter, public magnet, private, online or homeschooling.

If we are to continue improving our country's high school graduation rates, parents and students should have increased choice and freedom when it comes to education. While the most recent report suggests that improvement is happening, it's also evident there is still more work to be done.

Israel Ortega is the media relations director for National School Choice Week and has been published in local and national publications writing on issues related to education. You can follow him on Twitter: @IzzyOrtega