Black History Month
Black History Month

Graduation rates slightly down for DeKalb’s black students

Brian Moore (from left), Noa Walker and Za’Riyah Jones build a bridge out of spaghetti and marshmallows, part of an experiment for a class segment on types of bridges at Chapel Hill Elementary School in DeKalb County. In 2006, Georgia education officials touted the growing numbers of minority and disadvantaged students flowing into gifted classes. But an analysis by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution shows black students still lag significantly behind their white counterparts in gifted programs. And the gap is wide when it comes to poor students. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Credit: Bob Andres

Credit: Bob Andres

Brian Moore (from left), Noa Walker and Za’Riyah Jones build a bridge out of spaghetti and marshmallows, part of an experiment for a class segment on types of bridges at Chapel Hill Elementary School in DeKalb County. In 2006, Georgia education officials touted the growing numbers of minority and disadvantaged students flowing into gifted classes. But an analysis by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution shows black students still lag significantly behind their white counterparts in gifted programs. And the gap is wide when it comes to poor students. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM
By
Feb 28, 2017

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution decided during Black History Month to explore how African-American students in DeKalb County are performing academically.

The numbers showed a slight decline last school in their graduation rates, reflecting a drop districtwide. There were sharp increases on the math and reading components of recent SAT exams.

The ACT composite score was 18 for each of the last three years, according to the school district.

African-Americans make up about 65 percent of DeKalb’s student enrollment.

Below are some numbers from the school district and state data.

Graduation Rates:

2013-14   62.5 percent

2014-15   71.3 percent

2015-16   69.6 percent

SAT Mean Reading Scores:

2013-14   394

2014-15   427

2015-16   435

SAT Mean Math Scores:

2013-14   394

2014-15   417

2015-16   424

About the Author

Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He is the newsroom's education editor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.

Follow Eric Stirgus on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

The DeKalb County Board of Education gave Norman Sauce III a one-year contract to serve as its interim superintendent. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Acting Dekalb superintendent gets salary bump, 1-year contract to ensure ‘stable leadership’

The contract, obtained via an open records request, doesn't mean Sauce will be the permanent superintendent of the DeKalb County School District.

Lovett School gets ‘historic’ $30 million gift from Rollins family

The gift honors the oldest child of Randall and Peggy Rollins, who died in 1970.

Some Decatur parents feel blindsided by school plans, few details

Aggravation brews over lack of specifics and what some see as poor communication.

The Latest

The DeKalb County Board of Education gave Norman Sauce III a one-year contract to serve as its interim superintendent. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Acting Dekalb superintendent gets salary bump, 1-year contract to ensure ‘stable leadership’

Lovett School gets ‘historic’ $30 million gift from Rollins family

Full circle: Sisters who were APS students now serve as APS principals

Featured

Tracy Woodard from InTown Cares (left) and Lauren Hopper from Mercy Care organization work with residents at the Copperton Street encampment in August 2024. (Miguel Martinez / AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez

‘Worst nightmares come true.’ Atlanta confronts shift in homelessness funding.

Trump’s overhaul threatens permanent housing for an estimated 600 Atlanta households and 170,000 people nationwide, advocates warn.

Microsoft’s newest AI ‘superfactory’ opens at sprawling Fayetteville campus

One of the largest data center campuses under construction in Georgia has its first operational tenant, and it’s one of the most recognizable names in technology.

Atlanta officials quietly rebrand city’s DEI office

The city of Atlanta office overseeing diversity, equity and inclusion is getting a rebrand amid assaults at the federal level on such initiatives.