Indigenous graduation rate in Regina Public Schools is less than half, but increasing

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Data shared this week show that less than half of Indigenous students in Regina Public Schools will graduate within three years, up from a decade ago.

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The Secretariat announced graduation numbers as part of the department’s annual report for the 2021-22 academic year at its board meeting on Tuesday.

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In 2021-2022, the overall percentage of students graduating on time, i.e. within three years of the start of grade 10, was 80% across the division.

For students who self-identify as Indigenous, that rate drops to just 44%, compared to 89% for non-Indigenous students.

Both of these figures are higher than in 2010-11, when 27% of Indigenous and 71% of non-Indigenous students were reported to have graduated on time.

Education Director Darren Bolt said the increase is a notable improvement for the department, although it’s still far from the golden goal of 100%.

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“We are very proud of the significant growth we have seen in a decade,” Boldt said Thursday.

“I see no reason why there should be a gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, but there are many barriers.”

He said the data set shows that Regina Public’s figures have surpassed the state’s rate of 40% in 2021-22 for the first time.

Trustee Adam Hicks agreed at Tuesday’s discussion that while rising graduation rates certainly represent a positive move, it’s “difficult to celebrate” a figure this low.

Addressing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous graduation rates has been a focus for some time at the administrative, school and staff level, Bolt said.

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He called it a “key priority” and said it would have a “major impact,” with many initiatives including adult campuses in continuing education, indigenous advocates, and elders working with students to influence positive change. said it is giving

Other supplements such as credit recovery for failed courses, onshore programming and work experience options, and partnerships to provide reliable nutrition and transportation are also helpful.

As raised by the board, Bolt agreed that there is room for more partnerships with outside resources to address other student barriers, such as nutrition and transportation needs.

Boldt pointed out that the standard expectation for students to earn 24 credits within three years is changing, so five years of extended data is a better benchmark of success.

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“The district’s ultimate job is to see students walk across the stage and graduate,” he said. “I think the idea of ​​’on time’ is a little outdated in our time.”

At Regina Public, 59% of Indigenous and 87% of non-Indigenous students will graduate in 2021-2022 over a five-year extended timeline, compared to 45% and 80% a decade ago. Increased.

“Regina Public Schools is on a very positive trajectory,” says Boldt. “There is no reason not to continue”

lkurz@postmedia.com

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