Fewer HS Students May Raise Graduation Rate

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — State officials say population drops mean the number of Louisiana high school graduates will decline five years in a row.However, figures show the percentage of 17-, 18- and 19-year-olds who finish high school will actually rise during the same period.

Raymond Brady, a consultant for the state's Education Estimating Conference, tells The Advocate on Wednesday that means the state is faring better in getting students through high school than population trends would suggest.

The conference is a panel that tracks school trends.

Brady said the state's high school population outlook is needed to plan for TOPS, a state-funded program that pays in-state tuition and other costs for students who meet requirements.