The Rochester School District's four-year graduation rate has dropped back below 50 percent. The New York State Education Department's latest data shows the rate for the 2008-2009 school year fell to 46 percent. That is a drop of 6 percent from the 2007-2008 school year, when the graduation rate was 52 percent. The drop was expected after the SED's decision to not include local, non-Regents diplomas when calculating rates. The state has also increased the requirements to earn a Regents diploma.

UPDATED: Statement from School Board President Malik Evans

Statement from Malik Evans, president of the Rochester Board of Education:

"The Rochester City School District works to ensure that our students receive an education that prepares them for college and careers. While the recently announced graduation rate for 2009 may seem disheartening, it is not discouraging.  The Board of Education recognizes that the District has to take drastic measures to ensure that our students receive the best possible education, and has been supportive of Superintendent Brizard in his design and development of the District's multi-year strategic plan aimed at increasing academic achievement and college-readiness. 

"On Thursday, March 11^th, the Board's Excellence in Student Achievement Committee will receive a presentation from the Superintendent detailing his plan to improve the District's persistently low-performing high schools.  The creation of a portfolio of high-performing schools designed to meet needs of our students, is one of many reform efforts that the Board champions in order to close the District's achievement gap. While much work remains, the Board is committed to further improvement in student performance and the creation of high-quality schools."