Trustee Questions Graduation Rates

At least one trustee with the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is questioning why students are allowed to take five years to graduate instead of four.

Figures from the public school board show that only 66 percent of students have 26 credits by the end of four years of high school.

Bob Onysko says 30 credits are needed to graduate, so obviously a lot of students are taking five years or more graduate.

He claims four year graduation rates are higher in most western provinces, such as

Manitoba and Alberta and wonders whether Ontario taxpayers should be footing the bill for a fifth year in high school for our students.

Vice-chair of the board Cecile Marcino says their job is to encourage student success, whether it takes four, five or even six years for students to graduate.