What we see here: Graduation rates were on the rise in the Lansing School District up until the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The Lansing Pathway Promise rolled out during the 2016-17 school year, where we see a 10 point jump for overall graduation rates between 2016 and 2017 and a gain of nearly 15 points for Black students between 2016 and 2018. Black students may have been graduating at lower rates than other groups in the earlier part of the decade, but in more recent years, they have been performing similar to or better than some of their classmates. However, the negative impacts of the pandemic on school success are ongoing, as we can see in a new trend downwards for all groups since 2020. See below for a more in-depth look at trends in graduation rates for various racial/ethnic groups, as well as a breakdown of the district's student body as of the 2021-2022 school year.

Asian students (who make up about 5% of the current student body) consistently graduate at higher rates than other groups. Apart from that trend, there is little consistency in which demographic groups graduate at higher rates. This would indicate that we are moving in the right direction - towards a goal of not being able to predict a student's academic success based on their race or ethnicity. The ideal scenario would be an overall trendline heading up towards 100% with very little difference between groups.

Pre-K options for Lansing's soon-to-be Kindergarteners like the Great Start Readiness Program (state funded) and Head Start (federally funded) have been used by an increasing percentage of families over the past 8 years. Seeing as quality pre-k use boosts graduation rates, we can expect that continued quality pre-K options in Lansing will contribute to turning the curve upwards further down the line.

(data source: Michigan Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI) via Mi School Data)

High school graduation is a predictor of future health and wealth. A high school diploma is a basic requirement for many entry level jobs and higher education opportunities. This is especially important because an estimated 65% of all jobs after 2020 will require education beyond high school. Graduating high school sets young adults on the path to employment, higher education, and higher earnings. Youth who drop out of high school are more likely to live in poverty, be in prison, have health problems (and limited access to healthcare), and die younger than those who get their diploma.

High school completion is not only important for individuals and their futures; higher graduation rates can also have a significant impact on the state and national economy.

Within the local context, the Lansing School District (LSD) has been losing many of its residents to other surrounding districts for years. The chart below (from MI School Data) shows the number of LSD residents who go to school in other districts (blue) compared to the number of residents of other districts who go to school in the Lansing district (orange).

Each family has its own reasons for choosing which schools their children will attend. But when graduation rates are seen as a mark of a school and district's quality, improving those scores might improve how people see Lansing schools and encourage more families to send their kids here instead of elsewhere.

• Universal pre-K: Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) and Head Start are options, but access could still be expanded. Alternately, support the growing movement for 2-year (or Transitional) Kindergarten, an extra public school grade that bridges preschool and kindergarten.
   
• Support literacy and literacy-building programs; early reading skills are a predictor of high school completion and adult success.
   
• De-emphasize or end high-stakes standardized testing. Since its creation, standardized testing has been used as a tool of white supremacy and has disproportionately harmed and limited opportunities for students of color and those who come from low-income families. The stress associated with high-stakes standardized testing has also contributed to the nation-wide teacher shortage.
   
• Invest in cradle-to-career systems that support student success from birth through job acquisition. Include re-engagement options and wraparound services for students who have dropped out or at risk of dropping out.
   
• Address the reasons why students drop out.
  • Mental health struggles: Teenagers struggling with depression are twice as likely to drop out of high school than their peers. Schools need to invest in more counselors, social workers, and psychologists - and these workers need to be able to support the mental health needs of students of color.
  • Socioeconomic status and family stress (death, divorce, moving) are generally better predictors of high school success than race. However, it is important to keep in mind that people of color are more likely to be economically disadvantaged in America than white people. Low income students are twice as likely to drop out as middle income students.
     
• Build trauma-responsive schools to combat the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) that can make it harder for students to graduate.

• The Peace and Prosperity Youth Action Movement (PPM) has been an evolving and supportive community for young people (age 12 through high school graduation) in Lansing who want to develop their leadership skills and create positive change in their community. The Lansing chapter of PPM has worked to promote early childhood literacy and has partnered with the Ingham County Health Department to address high school drop-out rates.

• The Education working group of Metro Lansing Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) is a team made up of community members, parents, and school staff who want to ensure quality education, care, and racial equity for all the youth of Lansing. Their priorities for ensuring justice and academic success include the following:
  • Develop caring classrooms using trauma-informed strategies that keep children safe and in school, promote racial and gender justice, address student needs and engage families.
  • Adopt and fully integrate developmental discipline policies and strategies such as multi-tiered systems of support, social-emotional learning programs, and restorative justice practices.
  • Implement hiring practices that result in faculty and staff that better reflect the ratio of Black students in the school district and lead to a more equitable workforce.

Ways to get involved now:

• Check out the movements for a MI Breathe Act, as well as a Lansing Breathe Act. Pursuing racial equity and justice in institutions of education is just one of the many goals of the federal Breathe Act on which local Breathe legislation is based. Do you have an interest in shaping policy or making community interests known to those who do? Join a monthly Lansing People's Assembly to learn about and participate in the crafting of a Lansing Breathe Act.

• If you are interested in racial equity and education in Lansing, join us in the city-wide process of Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT). The Education working group of Metro Lansing TRHT is a team made up of community members, parents, and school staff who want to ensure quality education, care, and racial equity for all the youth of Lansing. Follow the Metro Lansing TRHT facebook page (@TRHTLansing) for updates and information about joining.

COMING SOON

It's one thing to see the data, but another to see how these indicators actually affect the lives of our friends and neighbors. We want to hear from you! The Voices of Lansing tab will be where residents can share their thoughts and stories about how an indicator has affected their life. If you have a story or experience to share about high school success, open this survey and click on "share my story." We look forward to hearing your stories!

• Mental Health Support for Students of Color During and After the Coronavirus Pandemic, by Abby Quirk
• How to Prevent Students from Dropping Out, by Accredited Schools Online staff writers
• Why High School Graduation Rates Matter, Public Citizens for Children & Youth policy brief
• 15,000 Michigan kids take two years of kindergarten. Is Lansing listening? by Ron French
• Some of the Surprising Reasons Why Students Drop Out of School, by Cindy Long