In 2006-07, Standards of Learning Reform was implemented “to raise student achievement through accountability for results, with the goal that all our schoolchildren, not just a lucky few, will be prepared to compete successfully in the global economy of the 21st century, whether they go to college or enter the workforce right out of high school, and will be informed, responsible citizens of a democracy” (Christie).

Since 2010, almost 90 percent of the 94,700 students who entered high school earned a diploma within four years. More than half of those received an Advanced Studies Diploma.That’s a 0.4% increase since 2012.

Of the students who entered high school as first-time ninth graders in 2010:

47,945, or 50.6 percent, earned an Advanced Studies Diploma (including International Baccalaureate), compared with 49.7 percent of the previous cohort.

• 33,633, or 35.5 percent, earned a Standard Diploma.
• 1,527, or 1.6 percent, earned a Modified Standard Diploma.
• 2,029, or 2.1 percent, earned a Special Diploma.
• 1,893, or 2 percent, earned a GED.
• 5,126, or 5.4 percent, dropped out, compared with 5.9 percent of the previous cohort

References:

Christie, Mark. “VIA STANDARDS OF LEARNING.” VIA STANDARDS OF LEARNING, Christie. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2014.

Virginia On-Time Graduation Rate Nears 90 Percent. VDOE, 24 Sept. 2014. Web. 18 Oct. 2014.