Graduation Rate Indicator
This indicator, reported on the California School Dashboard, applies to districts and schools with students in grades 9–12.What is this Indicator?
The Graduation Rate Indicator is one of several state indicators that the California Department of Education (CDE) reports on the California School Dashboard
(Dashboard). It represents the percentage of students who graduate high school within a specified time frame with a regular high school diploma.
All schools – comprehensive (or traditional), charter, and Dashboard Alternative School Status (DASS) – receive a combined four- and five-year graduation rate.
This indicator is reported on the Dashboard for any local educational agency (LEA) and high school that enrolls students in grade twelve.
Additional Reports
Designed for educators, the School Dashboard Additional Reports offer information and data beyond what are reported on the Dashboard, including summarized views across all state indicators. Two reports specific to this indicator are the:
- 2026 Five-by-Five Graduation Rate Placement Report (Coming December 2026)
- Graduation Rate Report (Coming December 2026)
Resources
General Information about the Indicator
Technical Information about the Indicator
- Dashboard Technical Guide - This guide is the key to unlocking how the state indicators are calculated for the Dashboard. An extensive review of the Graduation Rate Indicator, and all other state indicators is covered with explanations on the calculation formulas and business rules.
- Connecting the Dashboard to CALPADS Reports (PDF) - A user-friendly flyer to help you confirm your California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS) data before it is used for the Dashboard.
- District of Residence flyer(PDF) - The District of Special Education Accountability rule is applied to all state indicators. Download this flyer to learn more.
- Crosswalk Between the Graduation Rates Reported on DataQuest and Dashboard(DOCX) - This document identifies the differences in the way that data are produced for DataQuest and the Dashboard.
- Downloadable Data Files: Graduation Rate - Access statewide LEA, school, and student group Dashboard graduation rate results.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Graduation Rate Indicator FAQs web page addresses the common questions received on this state indicator.
Additional Information about the Dashboard
- The Dashboard Communication Toolkit web page provides a variety of informational materials that help explain the data reported on the California School Dashboard.
- The Dashboard Resources web page provides an extensive selection of resources relating to the California School Dashboard for parents, educators, and community partners.
- Connect to the Dashboard Measures section on the Dashboard Resources web page to learn about other state indicators reported on the Dashboard.
- Connect to the Dashboard Measures section on the Dashboard Resources web page to learn about other state indicators reported on the Dashboard.
- The Dashboard Performance Levels and Categories web page provides the Status cut scores, Change cut scores, and Performance Levels (or colors) for all state indicators excluding growth-based indicators which report Performance Categories.
Next Steps
There are no next steps or upcoming changes for this indicator.
Archive
Prior Year Technical Guides have been archived and are available at the bottom of the current Technical Guide web page.
Prior Year Dashboard Communication Toolkits have been archived and are available at the bottom of the current Dashboard Communications Toolkit web page.