New Graduation Rates / WITN.com - Eastern Carolina's Weather Authority - Breaking News &Weather For Eastern North Carolina: Greenville NC, New Bern, Jacksonville NC, Kinston, Washington NC, Morehead City & Havelock. WITN 7 NBC For Pitt County, Onslow County & All of East Carolina.

Fair
	Temp: 30 F (-1 C) Humidity: 55 Heat Index: NA F

Home · News · Weather · Sports · Politics · Blogs · Web Cams · Sunrise · Lottery · Scam Alert · Entertainment · ECU Sports · Station/Bios

Real Estate · CarSoup · Rental Guide · Experts · Double Dollar Deals · Classifieds · Food · Contests · Community · Carolina Camera · Health · First Alert · HD

WITN Weather
7-Day Forecast
Live Doppler 7

Snow Flurries Fall Across Eastern Carolina
61 Comments

Vet: Kitten Used As Football
58 Comments

Troopers Crack Down On Speeders
38 Comments

Schools Ordered To Pay Back Millions To State
35 Comments

Input Wanted For Jacksonville Traffic
34 Comments

Sheriff Accepts Plea Deal In Teen Rape Case
23 Comments

Hey, read the rules!

	Carolina Camera Upload your favorite photos and videos.

	WITN2go WITN News, Weather, Sports and more on your mobile phone – Anytime. Anywhere.

	First Alert Instant weather and breaking news on your desktop!

	Carolina Scanner News from around the state. All on one convenient page.

	Lottery Latest results from the North Carolina Education Lottery.

	Scam Alert Protect yourself. Don't get scammed!

	Country Rover Tom Skinner goes off the beaten path.

	On The Road WITN covers all of Eastern Carolina.

	Doppler’s Doghouse See Doppler Dog’s pet pals online.

	Gas Prices Search for the area’s best deals.

	Hunting & Fishing Forecast Best time of day to hunt or fish…

	Green Guide Your online resource for "green" living!

	Meet the Team
	Contact Us
	What's On WITN?
	Sunrise
	Jobs @ WITN
	Where Are They Now?
	About WITN
	HDTV

	Complete WITN Schedule
	NBC
	Jeopardy!
	Wheel of Fortune
	Millionaire
	Rachael Ray
	People's Court
	Judge Mathis
	Dunder Mifflin

New Graduation Rates

Save

Posted: 2:58 AM Aug 8, 2008
Last Updated: 11:05 PM Aug 8, 2008
Reporter: Heather King

18 comments

A | A | A

The state has released new four-year graduation rates. Some counties in the east beat the state average, while some fell way below.

State data released Thursday showed 69.9 percent of the North Carolina's public high school students who were freshmen in 2003
graduated by the end of June this year. That's a slight increase from last year's four-year graduation rate of 69.5 percent.

Pitt County's four-year graduation rate in 2008 is 54 percent. The 2007 rate was much better, at 62.4 percent, though still below the state average.

Edgecombe County's four-year graduation rate is one of the lowest in the state. The rate released for 2008 is 33.5 percent. That is a steep drop from 2007's rate of 65.1 percent.

Craven, Martin and Onslow Counties were among those in Eastern Carolina who beat the state average. Craven County's four-year graduation rate for 2008 is 75.2 percent. Martin County's four-year graduation rate for 2008 is 72.5 percent. Onslow County's four-year graduation rate for 2008 is 77 percent.

Read more about the rates by clicking here.

You can look up every county's four-year graduation rate by clicking here.

You can also look up individual high school rates by clicking here.

More Stories
Facebook Warning

Autopsy Says Man Tased By Deputies Died Naturally

Massive Oven Recall

Kinston Bypass Coming To Town?

Popular Cancer Drug May Cause Blood Clots

Food Banks Worried About Thanksgiving

Schools Ordered To Pay Back Millions To State

Aruba Police Pursue New Evidence In Holloway Case

Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: VBush Location: MHCY on Aug 12, 2008 at 07:59 AM
To PCteacher; I stand corrected, I will try to do better next time. Thanks.:)

Posted by: hope Location: NC on Aug 11, 2008 at 09:29 AM
To 1Location, I experienced a similar experience many years ago. Later, when my kids entered school I tried to ensure they got in the better of the 2 classes that may have been available to them at the time. Because parents were not doing THEIR jobs, many kids never had homework done, and were never ready on test day. Who do you think the teachers had to concentrate on? NC schools have HAD TO DUMB IT DOWN!! Not to worry, colleges love to charge you for the remedial courses to catch up.

Posted by: phillip Location: mt. olive on Aug 11, 2008 at 08:39 AM
and america wonders why the unemploeement rates are up, and they think kids arnt trying. If they did try they cant affored it. the greatest country in the world and we cant affored to teach our kids

Posted by: PCteacher Location: Greenville on Aug 11, 2008 at 08:35 AM
Hi VBush, not trying to have a pissing contest, but you did not use it as a noun. You used everyday where you should have used every day (an adj. and a noun). When using everyday as a noun (those rare occasions), there is almost always an article, specifically "the," preceding it. :) Thanks for the kudos, though. I get frustrated both by parents and my colleagues, as educating our county's children and giving each and every one of them a chance to have a fulfilling life is very important to me.

Posted by: l Location: nc on Aug 10, 2008 at 11:12 PM
This entire state's education system needs an overhaul. When I came to this state nearly 20 years ago, it was at least 2 years behind the system I came from. I knew before coming here that NC's education was behind, but I didn't realize how behind it was back then. I don't think that all of the blame is all one one group of people. I believe it starts in the home. Parents should get on their kids to do the work that is at least required, thereby getting the C. Encouraging kids to do better so that hopefully they will get better grades. I feel sorry for many kids who get the basic education from this state's system and move to other states. Some of those kids will see and hear how NC's system is far behind.

Posted by: VBu,sh Location: MHCY on Aug 10, 2008 at 10:56 PM
To PCteacher; Everyday is also a noun, as in a routine or ordinary occasion. It is primarily used as an adjective, but it is also correct to use it as a noun. Good Try. :) As for the rest of your post....I agree one hundred percent! Bravo!

Posted by: PCteacher Location: greenville on Aug 10, 2008 at 09:17 PM
There are so many problems at hand that it is overwhelming to try to fix them all. Some parents don't help their children find success (many don't know how). Even worse are the parents that make excuses for their children. They claim school is too hard, gossip and complain about teachers and challenges (sr. project comes to mind), put down teachers in front of their children, make up excuses and lies for their children's absences or lack of work, and so on. The teachers aren't all perfect either. Many of them indeed seem to lack in education. Most, for instance, don't know that "everyday" is an adjective (Vbush) and needs to modify a noun. That's just one example. Many resort to showing movies or trying to be "cool" just to maintain order. We need to establish and maintain high expectations, and we need parent support. A diploma means nothing if it is just given to the kids, but many people seem to want just that. End of rant.

Posted by: VBush Location: MHCY on Aug 10, 2008 at 06:59 PM
To Kimo; Good point. I read many posts on this site, quite a few by people claiming to be educators. Just reading the posts on this site alone will give much insight as to the state of our education system on a national level. Many of these people are from all over the nation. The spelling, punctuation, and grammar are atrocious. It boggles my mind that some of these people are in positions that require a college education. As for the teacher that just posted here, he/she should not be included in this group. As for what the teacher here said, I am in total agreement. I have made several "rants" about the majority of our national problems starting in the home. The break down of the family unit in this country is the curse and scourge of our nation collectively. As far as some of these so called parents being worse than the child? I see it EVERYDAY. All you have to do is observe some parents and you will no longer wonder why things are so screwed up.

Posted by: Doug Location: Greenville on Aug 10, 2008 at 06:44 PM
With our present Education Board and their private agenda, can we really expect any better results? Seems we spend all of our effort in the courtroom. Martin County needs to only look at us to see where combining smaller schools into larger schools will lead you. Pitt County Schools are a Joke. How sad.

Posted by: Kimo Location: Belhaven on Aug 9, 2008 at 10:01 AM
The next question is "How many of those who do graduate can really read, write, and do sums???"

Posted by: a teacher on Aug 9, 2008 at 02:50 AM
Pitt county has so many gangs and crime, that youth easily get pulled into it. Parents need to wake up, and the schools are there to teach your students if you make sure they are there. Pitt County Schools need to look at other counties to see what is working, because the dropout rate seems to get worse as the years go on. With AYP and NCLB ranking us 25th, something needs to change, like the BOE and the superintendent. We have some great people working for and teaching our kids, but much of the leadership lacks. Principals are moved so much, that security lacks. High schools need to tighten up with many more resource officers. School should be a SAFE place to learn, but it isn't. We can teach, but if students come to school to cuss out teachers, and tell us we can't make them do anything....sorry. By this time, the parents should have taken care of the part on showing respect to teachers and staff. In many cases, the parents act worse than the kids. We seem to be beating a dead horse.

Posted by: Ted Location: Greenville on Aug 8, 2008 at 08:34 PM
With liberalize rampant in the education system I'm surprised any students are allowed to receive a failing grade.

Posted by: lookin in Location: enc on Aug 8, 2008 at 06:26 PM
Wow, Martin County is impressive and their school board has been criticized for not addressing the dropout rates. Look at their individual rates! Bear Grass and Roanoke are almost tied with 76.7 and 76.1 respectively for 2008 cohort. Way to go Roanoke! What was the concern about consolidating these two schools?

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 8, 2008 at 03:49 PM
BooBoo: With the curriculum as easy as it is for students to pass, it shouldn't matter what the grade point scale is. Students should recieve C's regardless if they are marginal or not. I strongly belive if a student goes to school and does what is asked of them, there is no reason not to graduate.

Posted by: Dave Location: Greenville on Aug 8, 2008 at 01:14 PM
Pitt county is in major trouble and it's only going to go further down hill!

Posted by: Pedro Location: the new Mexico on Aug 8, 2008 at 12:16 PM
does the term Bell curve rattle a nerve?as the graduation rate falls the crime rate rises.

Posted by: BooBoo Location: Greenville on Aug 8, 2008 at 12:14 PM
I have long wondered if the switch from the 10 point grade scale to the 7 point grade scale would cause an increase in dropout rates. From these figures it looks like it. I think the 7 point scale is so tight (69 is a failing grade - on the 10 point scale it is passing)that children who are marginal students just give up because they just can't succeed. I know that it affected my son's decision to drop out. Had he been passing (even with a 69)he would have stayed in and see what happens.

Posted by: R Location: Greenville on Aug 8, 2008 at 10:43 AM
It looks like Pitt county is one of the lowest counties in the state (bottom 3) for four year graduation rates. I think it is time for a change.

witn.com's Most Viewed
1.	Snow Flurries Fall Across Eastern Carolina
2.	Laurean's Wife Returns From Mexico Visit
3.	Former "Bachelor" Winner Arrested For Unruly Behavior
4.	Autopsy Says Man Tased By Deputies Died Naturally
5.	Schools Ordered To Pay Back Millions To State
6.	"Get In The Cooler"
7.	Army Investigates YouTube Toddler Fight
8.	50 Pounds Of Pot Seized
9.	Cold Realities Await Gov. Sarah Palin In Alaska
10.	Child Dies After Being Hit In Parking Lot

	CarSoup Search inventory from local dealers and private sellers.

	Rental Guide Video tours to help you find your next apartment.

	Double Dollar Deals Save 50% from local merchants.

	Sylvan Problem Solver Video tips from Sylvan Learning Center.

	Classifieds THE place to buy and sell items. Most ads free.

	Experts Got a question? Ask Eastern Carolina's Experts.

	Local Lookup Find local businesses online.

	Business Break Two minutes of info from local businesses.

	Lawyers On Call Free legal information on a variety of topics.

	Video Home Tours Tour Eastern Carolina homes from your computer.

	Jeopardy! EXP An exclusive online game that gives you an additional clue from each category in today's show.

Do you agree with the Governor's Office plan to have 100 school districts in North Carolina to find ways to cut costs and pay millions of dollars back to the state?

	Yes
	No

Click one of the pictures below to see more or to upload your own photos and videos.

Bailing Out The Big Three - 3 Comments Posted

What should the government do? (Read Blog)

Is Everyone Right About The Media Taking Sides? - 4 Comments Posted

I'm not trying to bite the hand that feeds me by any means, but I'm intrigued but the current turn of the tide for a certain political candidate. (Read Blog)

How Would You Fix The Economy? - 5 Comments Posted

There are many suggestions about how to fix the ailing economy. What would you do? (Read Blog)

Don't Feed the Holiday Ham to the Dog, Unless You Want a Mess - Post Your Comments!

With the holidays approaching, think twice before you give ham scraps to your beloved animal. It can do more harm than you know. Here is a story about what happened to me last year, and the repercussions it had on my dog: (Read Blog)

Stress Free Holiday Party Ideas From Chef Pia - Post Your Comments!

Chef Pia Van Coutren offers up some great ideas for a Mediterranean Stress- Free Holiday Party. (Read Blog)

My Honor To Talk With World War II Veterans - 1 Comments Posted

It's not often you get a chance to talk with genuine American heroes. I had that opportunity when I recently talked with World War II Veterans. (Read Blog)

Finally -- Cheap Gas Again - Post Your Comments - Post Your Comments!

Do you remember that last time you paid less than $2 a gallon for gas? (Read Blog)

Heavy Rain Puts Dent In Drought - Post Your Comments!

Heavy rainfall across North Carolina is helping to alleviate the drought, which is now in its second year. (Read Blog)

More Blogs >>>