New report finds English language learners have the highest dropout rate in Tennessee

The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office of Research and Education Accountability (OREA) released a new report that found students who face language, disability, and economical challenges have significantly higher dropout rates than their peers in Tennessee.This disparity is especially a concern for English language learners (ELL) who have a dropout rate of 30 percent in 2021-22, exceeding the state rate by nearly three times.The report also found higher dropout rates for economically disadvantaged students (15 percent), students with disabilities (13 percent), and migrant students (9 percent).The Comptroller said several factors are leading to this problem including students needing additional time to learn English or working full time to provide families with financial support.Graduation rates for these groups also fell below the 2021-22 state average of 90 percent.ELL students had the lowest graduation rate at 68 percent while migrant students had the highest graduation rate at 83.0 percent. Economically disadvantaged students achieved a similar range with 82 percent of students graduating. Graduation rates for students with disabilities were 78 percent.The Comptroller’s Office also recommended the Tennessee Department of Education consider publishing an extended-year graduation rate along with the four-year rate. The Comptroller says that change will provide parents, educators, and policymakers with useful information on how to provide assistance to specific student groups.“Over half of all states report a five-, six-, or seven-year graduation rate to highlight the students who needed extra time to meet graduation requirements,” wrote Research Analysts Dana Spoonmore and Allison Pams. “Additionally, extended-year graduation rates may help educators identify areas of support for those student groups to more fully develop college- and career-ready language and academic skills.”