Maryland education officials say only 11 students did not graduate this year because they failed to pass state tests. While thousands of the 63,000 students in the class of 2009 did not graduate, officials say nearly all of them did not pass their classes or failed to meet other requirements.
Opponents of making the tests a graduation requirement had been concerned that hundreds or even thousands of students might be denied diplomas. But state schools Superintendent Nancy S. Grasmick was confident that the tests would not adversely affect graduation rates.
The state released data last week that backed up those claims. Officials say only 2.6 percent of the class of 2009 dropped out of school, compared with 3.4 percent in 2008. Dropout rates also fell in Baltimore, to 6 percent—a 40 percent reduction over three years.
