Failing Schools Statistics

Key Takeaways

• 1In 2022, only 26% of 8th graders in the lowest-performing schools (bottom 10% nationally) scored proficient or above in math on NAEP, compared to 41% nationally
• 2Chicago Public Schools' failing schools had 15% proficiency in reading for 11th graders in 2021, versus 32% district average
• 3Detroit's lowest quintile schools saw 8% of students proficient in science NAEP 2019, half the state average of 16%
• 4In 2021-22, failing high schools in urban districts had adjusted cohort graduation rates of 65%, 20 points below national 85%
• 5Detroit Public Schools Community District bottom 25% schools graduated 58% of cohort in 2022
• 6Baltimore City high schools flagged as failing had 62% four-year grad rate 2023
• 7Nationally, failing schools receive 15% less per-pupil funding adjusted for need in 2022
• 8Chicago CPS failing schools got $1,200 less per student than high performers in 2023
• 9Detroit DPSCD low-tier schools funded at $14,500/pupil vs $16,200 district avg 2022
• 10Failing schools have 25% higher teacher turnover rates annually than successful peers in 2022
• 11Chicago CPS Level 1 schools lost 28% of teachers 2021-22
• 12Detroit DPSCD failing schools 32% attrition rate 2022
• 13Students in failing schools are 3x more likely to drop out before 9th grade completion, 2022 data
• 14Chicago failing elementary feeder patterns had 22% chronic absenteeism leading to dropouts 2023
• 15Detroit low schools saw 18% of 9th graders not reach 10th in 2022

Failing urban schools have much lower student proficiency and graduation rates.