55% Portland high school students graduate on time

The Oregonian's Betsy Hammond has the stats for Oregon, but it isn't difficult with the  Oregonian's database  to checkout the school district or individual high school of interest. Statistics are only a good place to start in the analysis, but in some circumstances they tell all one needs to know. [Note that some of my numbers used herein don't necessarily reconcile with the Oregonian's database, but the differences are comparatively of little significance.]

While Oregon high schools are graduating 66.6% of their students on time, Portland school district is graduating 55%. Portland's percentage of dropouts is 29%  Dismal!

And what does the good Doctor (governor) have to say? "Unacceptable." Really? And what about the person in charge of the schools - Superintendent Susan Castillo? She cheered because there was a 1% increase from last year. Wow! That 1% could easily be a statistical anomaly or rounding error.

The Oregonian quoting Brenda Turner, occupational economist with the Oregon Employment Department: "High school dropouts are 50 percent more likely to be unemployed than people who earn a diploma and never go to college, and their annual earnings are dramatically lower -- less than $22,000 on average in 2010 compared with $29,000 for those with a high school education."

Is Oregon, especially Portland, going to continue ignoring the education quality and keep pooping out on the streets those that have less chance of obtaining a job or even a job with a decent working wage?

Isn't there something wrong in the Portland district where there are only 5 schools graduating 75% or more students on time? And when there are 7 out of 16 high schools graduating 50% or less? A school with 22% on time graduation (Alliance) - ought to be closed - shouldn't it?

Interesting that David Douglas district is considered a bright spot because with a 68% on time graduation rate it and some others have "posted noticeably higher graduation rates than districts with similar demographics." .

But the governor has a plan. "He said his plan to require every Oregon school board to spell out how fast it aims to raise its graduation rate would help." OMG!