CPS changes how it calculates graduation rates; students hit ACT high

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago Public Schools will no longer allow schools to count students who go into a GED program, alternative school or job training program as "transfer" students after graduation rates were called into question by reporters.

In January, the 2013- 2014 graduation rate of 69.4 percent was touted by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's election campaign. On Friday, CPS admitted that number was inflated and was actually 66.3 percent.

"As soon as there were questions raised, I said go back and analyze what's going on and be accurate. And that's exactly what they did," Mayor Emanuel said.

CPS called it a miscalculation and said those students who were originally counted as transfers will now be counted as dropouts, which will affect the graduation rate.

"We got a tip from someone who said they were being misclassified," reporter Becky Vevea, WBEZ-FM, said. Vevea is one of the Chicago Public Radio reporters who figured out the numbers just didn't add up.

"With the emphasis on graduation rates and test scores in the district, principals and teachers and staff often feel a lot of pressure to improve those numbers," Vevea said.

Cook County Commissioner Chuy Garcia, who ran against Emanuel, released a statement, "I am deeply troubled by the persistent tendency of the administration in the City Hall and CPS to mislead and deceive."

The mayor insisted he used the numbers he and everyone else were given. He pointed out that the CPS graduation rate has continued its steady increase, although not at as dramatic pace.

"The good news, year over year, we're making progress. What's important is to be honest, be held accountable," Emanuel said.

Mayor Emanuel and CPS CEO Forrest Claypool attended the school's celebration after LaSalle Language Academy was named a 2015 Blue Ribbon School.

"It means all 50 states in the United States in the greatest country in the world, and this school was one of the very best," Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool said.

"I'm really proud of this. I think there's a lot of uncertainty about the district, and I'm personally, really waiting to see how the mayor and everybody else handles it," one parent at LaSalle said.

Meanwhile, CPS said ACT scores are at an all-time high among Chicago public school students with a 18.2 percent, which is up 0.2 percent from last year. Also, CPS said 84.1-percent of freshmen are on the track to graduation.

"They talk about academically there've been a lot of gains. I think that's great. I just think the problems are financial. So that's what I'm worried about," the parent said.