Local student dropout rate sits at 5 percent

BY COLBY FRAZIER
DAILY SOUND STAFF WRITER

The Santa Barbara School District announced yesterday that 5 percent of its students who enter ninth grade drop out before graduating – a number they say is well below the county and state average.
During the 2006-2007 school years, 92 students dropped out, a statement released by the district said. The county average for secondary student dropouts is 8 percent while at the state level it is 15 percent.


The statement said the dropout rate is three-times higher for Latino students than it is for white students. The district estimates its secondary student population consists of 44 percent Latino students and 47 percent white students.
The dropout rate was about even in each of the district’s three high schools. During the ’06-’07 school year, 15 students were expelled, which the district said made up for 16 percent of its total number of dropouts.