High School Completion Rates for Black Youth Reach Historic Levels

Strategic Insights -

In a significant milestone, data shows that the gap between Black high school graduation rates and others has narrowed, with young Black Americans completing high school at the highest rates in history. According to a new issue brief by the Center for Economic Policy Research, Black youth have made substantial gains in high school completion rates over the past 13 years, with the rate reaching 86% in 2013, its highest-ever level.

Key Takeaways:

  • In 1975, Black Americans finished high school at a 75% rate, compared to 88% for Whites and the overall 86% rate.
  • By 2013, the Black completion rate rose to 86%, its highest-ever level, shrinking the Black-White gap to less than 7%.
  • The completion rate for Black girls is 89%, only five points lower than the rate for White girls.
  • Black boys have experienced a rocky road to improvement in helping close the Black-White high school completion gap.
  • Regional analysis shows that the West has held the most promise for Black students since 1975, with a 10% higher completion rate than the national rate for Black students.
  • Cherrie Bucknor, a Center for Economic Policy Research assistant and author of the report, highlights the importance of focusing on positive trends among young Black Americans, rather than negative stereotypes.
  • The report finds that increasing graduation requirements for students and improving test scores for entering freshmen may be factors contributing to the increase in high school completion rates.
  • The teenage birth rate is also at a historic low, particularly for Black teens, with a 45% drop in the maternity rate for Black girls age 15 to 17 since 2000.

Statistics:

  • 75%: Black Americans' high school completion rate in 1975
  • 88%: White high school completion rate in 1975 (overall rate: 86%)
  • 14%: Difference in Black and White high school completion rates in 2000
  • 86%: Black high school completion rate in 2013 (highest-ever level)
  • 7%: Black-White high school completion gap in 2013
  • 83.5%: Completion rate for Black males in 2013
  • 89%: Completion rate for Black girls in 2013
  • 10%: Higher completion rate for Black students in the West compared to the national average
  • 45%: Drop in maternity rate for Black girls age 15 to 17 since 2000

Sources:

  • Center for Economic Policy Research (Issue brief: "Young Black America Part One: High School Completion Rates are at their Highest Ever")
  • National Center for Health Statistics (2012 data on teenage birth rates)