Four-year graduation rates have declined in MCPS for three years straight due to students’ inability to meet graduation requirements in four years of high school, causing more five-year graduations, according to data released by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).

The graduation rate was 89.8 percent in 2015 and steadily decreased to 88.4 percent in 2018, according to the MSDE report.

Graduation rates have dropped for Asian, Hispanic, White and special education students, but have increased for African Americans students, students of two or more races, students in the Free and Reduced-price Meals System and limited English proficiency students.

MCPS Graduation rates are at the lowest they’ve been since 2013, yet they remain above the national average, 84 percent, and above the state average which is 87 percent, according to a April 22 WTOP article.

“We want to make sure we’re making progress to ensure students are able to leave MCPS with the foundational skills they need to thrive in the community,” MCPS spokesperson Derek Turner said in an April 19 Bethesda Magazine article.