Nevada second from last in H.S. grads

Friday, Nov. 16, 2001 | 9:48 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Nevada is second worst in the nation regarding the percentage of the state's residents who are high school graduates, and an influx of young people seeking jobs could be part of the reason for it, says the chief of the state Department of Education.

Jack McLaughlin, superintendent of public instruction, said today the poor showing may be a "characteristic of our population." He said, "Every year we get hammered," when the U.S. Department of Education releases figures on graduation rates.

McLaughlin said he discussed the problem with Deputy Superintendent Keith Rheault, who is a veteran of Nevada education. "A lot of individuals from other places come to Nevada to find work and may not have completed high school in their states," said McLaughlin said.

The federal agency reported Thursday that Nevada's graduation rate fell from 79.6 percent in 1999 to 77.9 percent in 2000, while the national average was rising last year. This is coupled with information that Nevada has one of the lowest rates in the West regarding the number of high school graduates who go on to college.

The figures, reported by the Associated Press, reflect the percentage of 18- to 24-year-olds who have graduated from high school or earned a GED. The data is compiled as part of a U.S. Census Bureau's Current Population Survey each October.

Rheault said Nevada graduation statistics tell a different story. Recently compiled figures show that 90 percent of the high school seniors graduated last year. But this doesn't count those who move into the state without a high school degree.

Rheault said Nevada was one of only a few places where a person can get a job without a high school diploma." Most other states don't have the high job opportunities in the service industry which doesn't require high school graduation, he said.

The national report, Rheault said "brings the problem to a head." Although these out-of-staters don't have the degree, it's Nevada's obligation to provide programs, such as GEDs, to give them an opportunity to graduate, he said.

U.S. Secretary Rod Paige said the graduation rate has not risen in proportion to the billions of dollars spent on schools since the 1970s. He said comprehensive change is needed.

McLaughlin said, "I don't see laying the blame on anyone." He said this was an example of an area "where we need to do more. We have to develop programs to help with a solution."

He said that when Gov. Kenny Guinn was superintendent of schools in Clark County in the early 1970s, he taught high school classes at night to help students complete high school.