Long Branch, Monmouth Regional Graduation Rates Improve

Graduation rates at most local schools have improved from 2011 to 2012.

The Long Branch School District's graduation rate increased from 83.12 percent in 2011 to 85.48 percent in 2012.

Monmouth Regional High School's graduation rate increased from 89.3 percent in 2011 to 93.38 percent in 2012.

Shore Regional High School's graduation rate dipped slightly this year. 2011's graduation rate was 97.59 and 2012's rate was 94.86.

The state’s graduation rate increased from 83 percent in 2011 to 86 percent in 2012, the second year the state is using the new federal methodology for calculating the graduation rate, according to a release from the New Jersey Department of Education.

The release explains that, "graduation rate is calculated using a new, federally-mandated methodology announced by Governor Christie and Commissioner Cerf in April of this year."

"This more thorough method provides a more accurate and complete accounting of students who graduate by tracking based on the number of students in a four-year cohort," the release states.

More information on the methodology change can be found here: http://nj.gov/governor/news/news/552012/approved/20120430a.html