PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon's statewide graduation rate for the class of 2023 is 81.3%, tying last year's rate and making it the second highest in the state's history, the Oregon Department of Education reported on Thursday.
Despite the state's overall rate holding steady, students who completed English second-language learner programs and migrant students achieved all-time high graduation rates.
“These 37,700 graduates overcame historic challenges to earn their diploma. During their journey to graduation the class of 2023 endured the full, multi-year impact of COVID and its aftermath,” said Dr. Charlene Williams, Oregon Department of Education's director.
Some individual districts saw an increase in graduation rates, while others declined. The rate of Portland Public Schools, the state's largest district, fell slightly from 85.7% to 84.5%; so did the second largest district, Salem-Keizer Public Schools, which saw a slight decrease from 79.8% to 79.14%.
"Despite our slight overall drop, we have areas of growth and promise that are worthy of celebration,” said Deputy Superintendent Iton Udosenata of Salem-Keizer Public Schools. “We remain committed and accountable to improving the graduation rate for all students.”
Of the top five largest districts in Oregon, Beaverton had the highest overall graduation rate at around 89%, an increase from 82% in 2022. Hillsboro, the fourth largest district, saw an 86.18% rate for the class of 2023, a slight one percent dip from the previous year.
Hillsboro School District said one contributing factor to the decline could be the loss in state funding for summer school programming, which had been made available in 2021 and 2022 for pandemic recovery, according to the district.
Gov. Tina Kotek remarked on the results, saying that the state will need to continue to work hard on improving graduation rates for future classes.
“Still, it’s important that we are seeing some positive results in key areas where the state has been targeting resources, such as career and technical education and supporting English Language Learners," Kotek said. "This targeted approach to success is working for our students, so let’s do more of that, and I hope lawmakers support summer learning investment in the 2024 session.”