WICHE projects 10% more high school graduates in 2025 than it did in its previous forecast, made four years ago. Rising graduation rates among public high school students of color — defined as graduates not categorized as White — are partly driving this trend, the researchers wrote.
“Future declines could be further mitigated if the nation continues to improve graduation rates, particularly among underserved students,” WICHE President Demarée Michelau said in a press release. However, the coronavirus pandemic could “erode the progress” high schools have made, Michelau added.
