A bit more on the dropout rate

First a note: Massachusetts has changed the way it measures dropouts twice in the past three years. Comparing rates isn't quite the same as comparing your SAT scores to your niece's, but it's close.

There is one group that hasn't seen an improvement in the dropout rate: kids who haven't passed the MCAS. The difference in the dropout rate between kids who did and did not pass the MCAS has gone from 24.9% in 2006-07, to 27.1% in 2007-2008.

Last year the dropout rate for kids who didn't pass was 29.3%.

You'll often hear Department of Education officials dismiss this, pointing out that 60% of dropouts have already passed the MCAS. Sure, and 60% of men who are diagnosed with coronary heart disease don't smoke, but you don't hear a lot of heart surgeons telling you it's a good idea to light up. (I need to credit Professor Lou Krueger at Northeastern for the stats here.)

If it makes your chances of dropping out greater, than we should do something to cut that back.