Kidsdata Advisory, Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health

Highlighting new and noteworthy data from kidsdata.org
The Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health | June 24, 2010

Find College Readiness and HS Dropout Data for School Districts Statewide

This month on kidsdata.org, we’re phasing in education data for school districts statewide, starting with this week’s release of college readiness and high school dropout data from the California Department of Education.

Here in California, nearly 100,000 students in the class of 2008 – about one in five – dropped out of high school during grades 9-12. Of those who graduated in 2008, about one-third were college ready – as measured by completion of college preparatory courses required for admission to the UC and CSU systems, with a grade of “C” or better. Across the state, there are wide racial/ethnic disparities in both college readiness and dropouts.

Find HS Dropout and College Readiness Data for Your School District:

High School Dropouts: Percent | Number

Dropouts, by Race/Ethnicity (County-Level Data Only): Percent | Number

Selected Facts about High School Dropouts

College Readiness: Percent | Number

College Readiness, by Race/Ethnicity (County-Level Data Only): Percent | Number

Selected Facts about College Readiness

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Key Facts

In 15 of California’s counties, one-fifth or less of students completed high school with a “C” grade or better on college preparatory courses required by the UC and CSU systems. In only four counties – all in the Bay Area (including Santa Cruz) – more than half of students completed the required coursework with a “C” grade or better.

There are stark differences in college readiness among California’s racial/ethnic groups. Asian American students are most likely to be ready for college (59%), while African American/Black and Hispanic/Latino students (both 23%) are least likely to be ready for college.

Of the African American/Black students who entered public high school in California in the fall of 2004, about one in three dropped out during grades 9-12, higher than any other racial/ethnic group.

High school dropout rates vary widely across California, from less than 10% of students in some counties to more than one-quarter of students in other counties.

Use These Data in Your Work

Kidsdata.org is a public service, provided by the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health, that expanded in fall 2009 from the Bay Area to all cities, counties, and school districts in California. You can use these data in reports, presentations, proposals, advocacy work, program planning, and other efforts. Data on more topics will be phased in over the next several months.

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Kidsdata.org is a program of the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health, which uses data to promote the health and well being of children.