JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Mississippi’s 2023-24 graduation rate decreased slightly from 2022-23.

According to the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE), the state’s 2023-24 school-year graduation rate is 89.2%, while the dropout rate is 8.5%. Among students with disabilities, the 2023-24 graduation rate is 65.2%, and the dropout rate is 20%. 

MDE officials said the latest rates are based on students who entered ninth grade for the first time during the 2020-21 school year. The statewide graduation rate does not include students who earned a GED or a certificate of completion.

Compared to 2022-23, the statewide dropout rate stayed the same, and the graduation rate decreased slightly by .2 percentage points. Among students with disabilities, the graduation rate decreased by 4.8 percentage points, and the dropout rate increased by 2.3 percentage points.

According to MDE, Mississippi’s graduation rate exceeds the latest national rate of 86.6% from 2021-22 reported by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

“With a graduation rate of 89.2%, Mississippi continues to surpass the national average and demonstrate the dedication and hard work of our school communities,” said Dr. Lance Evans, state superintendent of education. “We are committed to providing the support and resources needed to help every student succeed. Our progress over the past decade is a testament to the resilience and determination of our students, teachers, and families.”