ICYMI: Dropout Rates for Native & Rural Schools rose in 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 1, 2022

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press@montanademocrats.org

ICYMI: Dropout Rates for Native & Rural Schools rose in 2021

Democrats are focused on continuing to find solutions to teacher shortages

Helena, MT – The Office of Public Instruction (OPI) recently announced their graduation and dropout rates for the 2020-2021 school year. Notably, the graduation rate for American Indian students has dropped to 68.30%, representing a 1.28% drop from the previous year. Dropout rates for Native schools increased to 5.87%, representing nearly a 25% increase.

Additionally, graduation rates across the state differ dramatically between urban and rural schools, with our most rural schools suffering from a dropout rate of over 40%. 

Superintendent Arntzen’s OPI has faced a nearly 90% turnover rate among administrative staff and a much-reported backlog in teacher licensing. Despite leadership issues at the OPI, Democratic Legislators have remained focused on bringing resources to rural and Native schools. In the 2021 Legislative session, Rep. Tyson Running Wolf (D-Browning) successfully sponsored a bill to invest state resources in Grow Your Own educator programs, which will help address the teacher shortage in rural and Native schools. The program enrolled its first students earlier this month.  

 “Our rural and Native high schools deserve the full attention and resources of Elsie’s Arntzen’s OPI,” says Montana Democratic Party Executive Director, Sheila Hogan. “We’re looking at the very real consequences of administrative failures at the OPI – Montana Democrats will continue to fight for solutions.”

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