The overall graduation rate in Kansas is up 7.3 percent since 2010. Several major subgroups increased their graduation rates in 2023, including black and Hispanic male students, free lunch eligible males, reduced-price lunch eligible males and females, and Limited English Proficient students. Each of these groups reached an all-time high in 2023. 

The rate did show a dip of about 1 percent in 2023, the only decline since the current formula was adopted nearly 15 years ago. White and multi-racial students, black and Hispanic females, and special education students accounted for the slight drop. The 2023 rate (most recent data) was 88.0 percent compared to 89.1 percent in 2022. 

The cause of the recent variations in graduation rates is unclear. The class of 2023 had the longest period of disrupted learning due to the pandemic. While some subgroup rates reflected these disruptions, other groups that were expected to show affects of the pandemic actually improved. This includes students from low-income families. Districts with the highest percentage of such students received the most federal pandemic education aid, which helped fund additional services to address learning loss.

National Comparison and Group Differences

In 2022, Kansas achieved an overall graduation rate of 89.1 percent, ranking ninth in the nation. Since 2010, students who typically face greater challenges, such as those with disabilities, living in poverty, or with limited English proficiency, have made significant progress. Their improvement has outpaced the state average, helping to narrow the achievement gap among different student groups.

In 2022, Kansas ranked 2nd nationally for Limited English Proficient students’ graduation rate, 2nd for students with disabilities, and 15th for free and reduced-price meal eligible students.

Why Graduation Rates Matter

Students who complete high school, on average, have higher salaries, lower poverty rates, and higher employment than students who don’t finish. Approximately 90 percent of Kansas jobs require high school completion. An estimated 70-75 of future jobs are expected to require training and education beyond a high school diploma. Jobs requiring technical certificates, associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and advanced degrees, on average, have even higher economic outcomes for each additional step completed.

This is why increasing the graduation rate or reaching 95 percent is a State Board of Education’s Kansans Can goal and one of three outcomes measured under the revised school accreditation system the Board adopted this summer.

Ways to Increase High School Graduation

KASB interviewed school leaders and educators from districts with the highest graduation rates in 2022 and highest improvements in rates from 2017 to 2022 (adjusted for student demographics). The following were among the most common strategies cited for better results.

• Making changes in core academic instruction at lower grades as well as in high school. These include adopting new research-based reading and math curriculum and materials, structured literacy training and implementation, and adding a reading focus in high school.
• Strengthening a tiered intervention system, like the state’s Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) that regularly assesses how well students are acquiring skills and provides additional time for individualized assistance or enrichment. These programs are frequently implemented at the lower grades where time is more flexible but districts are finding ways to apply the concept in high school.
• Adopting an early warning system that identifies when high school students are falling behind in coursework and immediately engaging with the student and family to explore causes and solutions. Schools don’t wait for the student to fail, after which catching up is very difficult. 
• Creating more options like alternative high school paths and online programs for students who are struggling with traditional high school.
• Significantly expanding opportunities for students to explore career opportunities and earn college credits and credentials. This keeps students interested in school by showing a connection to life after high school. For example, students in Career Technical Education Programs have a higher graduation rate than general school population.
• Adopting research-based programs like Jobs for Americas Graduates Kansas that have a proven track record of increasing graduation rates by providing at-risk students with individualized support, essential life and job-related skills, and career preparation. This includes personalized mentorship, skills development, and monitoring to address both academic and personal challenges.
• Building stronger relationships among educators, students, and families. High success districts work to get every student involved in sports, clubs, community service, or other activities. Students are paired with a single teacher throughout high school for programs like career planning. Parent teacher conferences and college planning events are restructured to increase parental involvement. Students are given a greater voice in school decisions and culture through formal efforts.