Average Tennessee high school graduation rate up for 2024-25 – Kingsport Times News

Report on Tennessee’s Educational Attainment and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 4

Executive Summary

This report details the public high school graduation rate in Tennessee for the 2024-25 academic year. The statewide average reached 92.3%, a significant achievement that directly supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all. This progress reflects a concerted effort by state and local educational bodies to enhance educational outcomes.

Key Findings and SDG 4 Progress

The primary finding indicates substantial progress toward key educational targets outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals.

• Statewide Graduation Rate: The average public high school graduation rate for the 2024-25 school year was 92.3%.
• Alignment with SDG 4 (Quality Education): This high rate is a direct indicator of success in achieving Target 4.1, which calls for ensuring that all students complete free, equitable, and quality secondary education.
• Contribution to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): By equipping a larger percentage of its youth with a high school diploma, Tennessee is strengthening its future workforce, fostering conditions for sustained economic growth and productive employment.

Analysis of Stakeholder Contributions

The achievement of this graduation rate is the result of collaborative efforts from various educational stakeholders across the state. This partnership model is crucial for advancing the SDGs, particularly SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

1. Tennessee Department of Education: Provided statewide oversight and strategic direction to improve educational standards and completion rates.
2. Kingsport City Schools: Local district efforts, represented by figures such as Andy True, have contributed to the overall state success.
3. Sullivan County Schools: The involvement of leadership, including Justin Calhoun, highlights the critical role of county-level school systems in implementing policies that support student success and graduation.

Conclusion

Tennessee’s 92.3% high school graduation rate for the 2024-25 school year marks a significant milestone in its commitment to providing quality education. This accomplishment is fundamentally aligned with the principles of SDG 4, ensuring that young people have the foundational education necessary for future success. Continued focus on equity and access will be essential to build on this progress and fully realize the goal of inclusive education for every student in the state, thereby supporting broader sustainable development objectives related to economic growth and reduced inequalities (SDG 10).

1. SDGs Addressed in the Article

Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education

• The article’s entire focus is on the “average public high school graduation rate in Tennessee.” This directly relates to SDG 4, which aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.” Reporting on graduation rates is a fundamental measure of a region’s success in providing quality secondary education to its population.

2. Specific SDG Targets Identified

Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.

• The article’s mention of the “high school graduation rate” is a direct measure of the completion of secondary education. This aligns perfectly with Target 4.1, which specifically calls for the completion of secondary education as a key objective. The statistic provided indicates progress towards this target within the state of Tennessee.

3. Indicators for Measuring Progress

Indicator 4.1.2: Completion rate (primary education, lower secondary education, upper secondary education).

• The article provides a precise figure: “the average public high school graduation rate in Tennessee statewide grew to 92.3%.” This percentage is a direct representation of the completion rate for upper secondary education, which is the specific metric used globally as Indicator 4.1.2 to track progress toward Target 4.1.

4. Summary of Findings

Source: timesnews.net