Revised District 742 Data Will Show Graduation Rate Improvement

(KNSI) – Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Willie Jett says St. Cloud Area Schools is the only district that he is aware of with a data issue for its 2022 graduation rate.

Speaking at a telephone press conference Tuesday morning to address the statewide report card, Jett says that he maintains close contacts with staff at District 742 since leaving as superintendent. That network was used to relay concerns about a potentially incomplete data set.

“Dr. Laurie Putnam reached out to me specifically to inform me and then her staff has worked with our staff to alert us.”

St. Cloud Area Schools released a statement on the problem Tuesday morning with Putnam saying the falling graduation rate reported “inaccurately accounts for our actual performance.”

Jett says there is no timetable for when the corrected numbers will be available.

“We’re working diligently to be able to provide that information and get results back to St. Cloud, as they’re working to get their information with us. So it’s a collaborative effort. It might take a little bit of time but as soon as we can get it done, we’ll make that information available.”

Reported data showed a drop in the graduation rate at District 742 from 69% to 60.9% as rates statewide rebounded to near-record highs at 83.7%. In a press release, St. Cloud Area Schools says when the revised numbers come out, there will flip to an increase in the four-year graduation rate locally.

___