TOWSON, MD—The four-year cohort graduation rate for Baltimore County Public Schools decreased to 87.6% for the Class of 2019, from 89.2% for the Class of 2018, according to data released on Tuesday by the Maryland State Department of Education.

The statewide graduation rate for 2019 is 86.9%; the rate was 87.1% in 2018.

The BCPS four-year cohort dropout rate increased to 8.8% in 2019, from 7.5% in 2018. Maryland’s dropout rate was 8.4% in both 2019 and 2018.

“My operating budget proposal for FY2021 is focused on additional classroom staffing to support every student toward graduation, careers, and college,” said Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. “It will take all of our coordinated efforts – from the earliest grades, during and outside of school – to ensure that students meet this crucial milestone.”

BCPS has consistently demonstrated four-year graduation rates that exceed the average graduation rate across Maryland public schools. Through a collaborative and comprehensive team approach, BCPS utilizes proactive and responsive strategies to monitor and support the progress of every high school student starting in Grade 9, and to ensure that students remain on track to graduate.

Precise, ongoing data monitoring drives informed strategic support to students and families, including but not limited to, ongoing communication with families regarding on-time graduation status, developing individual student plans with parents/guardians and students for graduating on-time, applying best practices to maintain on-time graduation, and providing flexible opportunities for credit recovery outside of the regular school day and year.