Building a Grad Nation - Annual Update 2021 - Progress and Challenge in Raising High School Graduation Rates

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Mia

Annual Update 2021 assesses progress and challenges in raising high school graduation rates, focusing on reaching a 90 percent graduation target for all students. The report analyzes graduation trends nationally and by state, highlights disparities among key student groups, and examines how COVID-19 shaped educational outcomes. It maps concentration of non-graduates across districts, reviews school-level patterns, and presents policy recommendations aimed at improving persistence and completion while preparing students for college and careers.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages68

Reading Time2 h 51 min

AccessFree to download

Executive Summary

Introduction

Education & COVID-19

Part I: High School Graduation Trends

The National Picture

State Level Progress and Challenges

Part II: Reaching a 90 Percent Graduation Rate for All Students

Where We Stand: Low-Income Students

Where We Stand: Black Students

Where We Stand: Hispanic Students

Where We Stand: Students Experiencing Homelessness

Where We Stand: Students with Disabilities

Where We Stand: English Learners

Where We Stand: Low-Graduation-Rate High Schools

Part III: Meeting the Moment

Concentration of Non-Graduates Across Districts

Examining Non-Graduates by Types of High Schools

Policy Recommendations

Conclusion

Acknowledgements

References

Appendices

BUILDING A GRAD NATION: Annual Update 2021 Progress and Challenge in Raising High School Graduation Rates A Report By: Civic Everyone Graduates Center at the School of Education at Johns Hopkins University In Partnership With: Alliance for Excellent Education America’s Promise Alliance Lead Sponsor: AT&T Supporting Sponsor: The Allstate Foundation BUILDING A GRAD NATION: Progress and Challenge in Raising High School Graduation Rates Annual Update 2021 A Report By: Civic Everyone Graduates Center at the School of Education at Johns Hopkins University In Partnership With: Alliance for Excellent Education America’s Promise Alliance Lead Sponsor: AT&T Supporting Sponsor: The Allstate Foundation Authored By: Matthew N. Atwell Robert Balfanz Eleanor Manspile Vaughan Byrnes John M. Bridgeland Table of Contents Executive Summary ...........................................................................................................................................8 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 12 Education & COVID-19 ..................................................................................................................................... 13 Highlight: COVID Collaborative ....................................................................................................................... 14 Part I: High School Graduation Trends ............................................................................................................ 15 The National Picture............................................................................................................................................ 15 State Level Progress and Challenges ................................................................................................................. 16 Part II: Reaching a 90 Percent Graduation Rate for All Students.................................................................. 19 Where We Stand: Low-Income Students ........................................................................................................... 19 Where We Stand: Black Students.......................................................................................................................20 Where We Stand: Hispanic Students .................................................................................................................22 Where We Stand: Students Experiencing Homelessness..................................................................................23 Highlight: Strategies for Success Report ........................................................................................................ 23 Where We Stand: Students with Disabilities ......................................................................................................24 Where We Stand: English Learners ....................................................................................................................25 Highlight: Boosting Postsecondary Attainment Research Briefs .................................................................. 26 Where We Stand: Low-Graduation-Rate High Schools .......................................................................................26 Part III. Meeting the Moment: Reaching a 90% High School Graduation Rate for All Students while Preparing them for College and Career through the Impacts of a Pandemic...................................29 Concentration of Non-Graduates Across Districts ..............................................................................................29 Examining Non-Graduates by Types of High Schools .........................................................................................30 Students with Disabilities ........................

FAQs

What is the report’s main goal for 2021?

It evaluates progress and challenges in increasing high school graduation rates and centers on reaching a 90 percent graduation rate for all students.

How does the report address COVID-19’s role in graduation outcomes?

It includes a dedicated Education & COVID-19 section and highlights COVID-related collaborative efforts that relate to student progress.

Which student groups and school contexts receive focused analysis?

The report examines low-income students, Black and Hispanic students, students experiencing homelessness, students with disabilities, English learners, and low-graduation-rate high schools.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Mia