The Albany High School Class of 2020 achieved the school's highest graduation rate in the 16 years of the state’s current accountability system, with 73% of the class earning diplomas in four years.
The State Education Department released its annual graduation data Thursday. Albany High’s rate increased from 68%, where it had held steady for the classes of 2018 and 2019. That had been the school’s highest rate since the state started measuring graduation under its current methodology in 2005.
“This new milestone in our continued work to raise achievement for all students in our school district is a tribute to our students and their families, as well as to the dedication of our faculty and staff, and the leadership at Albany High School,” said Superintendent Kaweeda G. Adams.
“We have maintained a consistent focus on the delivery of high-quality instruction, establishing an environment of high expectations and supporting our students’ social and emotional well-being. These will continue to be our primary areas of focus in our efforts to continue our progress in the years to come.”
Graduation rates increased statewide in 2020, with an overall increase of 1.7% from 2019. The statewide average for 2020 was 84.8%. The 73% mark for Albany High’s Class of 2020 represents a 7.4% increase from 2019.
It is the seventh year in a row that Albany High’s graduation rate has increased or held steady. Albany High's lowest graduation rate under the state’s current methodology was 50% for the Class of 2010. The 2020 graduation rate represents a 46% increase since then.
Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic last March, the state cancelled the administration of Regents exams in June and August, and provided an exemption for students who met the following criteria:
- Successfully completed courses leading to required Regents exam
- This included students who previously did not pass a Regents exam and were preparing to retake the exam in June or August
- Had a disability and may have been eligible for a Superintendent’s Determination of a local diploma but met criteria for exemptions
- Sought appeals to graduate with a lower score on a Regents exam leading to a local diploma
While the state acknowledged that those exemptions had an impact on rising graduation rates statewide, it said in Thursday’s announcement that it could not determine to what extent.
For Albany High, 72% of the members of the Class of 2020 met all Regents requirements for graduation, and 28% received an exemption. We are proud of the accomplishments of our students, Adams said.
Albany High's Class of 2020 achieved growth in several subgroups:
- Female students increased to 77% (+3)
- Male students increased to 69% (+6)
- Black students increased to 70% (+6)
- Hispanic/Latino students increased to 69% (+4)
- Asian/Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander increased to 84% (+14)
- English Language Learners increased to 45% (+28)
- Economically disadvantaged students increased to 69% (+4)
Subgroups that declined for the Class of 2020 included:
- White students to 79% (-4)
- Students with disabilities to 52% (-1)
“The pandemic provided enormous challenges for all educators and all students over the final three months of the 2019-20 school year,” Adams said. “The perseverance that our students, and especially our seniors, demonstrated in the sudden and wholly unanticipated transition to full distance learning was a testament to their courage and their commitment to achieving their goal of successful high school completion.”
