Graduation Rates
In Arkansas, high school graduation rates are measured using the Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR). This includes the percentage of students who graduate with a diploma within four years (4-year ACGR) of entering 9th grade. Graduation rate is a key indicator in the Success Ready Graduate component of the accountability system.
Graduation Rate Corrections
The Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) verification window will be open from November 6–20, 2025. During this time, districts and schools will have the opportunity to review and verify graduation data for accuracy before final reporting. Ensuring the accuracy of this data is critical, as ACGRs are a component of the high school letter grade formula.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a student who repeats a grade or falls behind in credits be removed from the graduation cohort?
What happens if a student does not graduate in four years?
Can an expelled student be removed from the cohort?
Can a student attending Youth Challenge, Job Corps, or CSTP be removed from the cohort?
Can a student in prison or juvenile corrections (not DYS) be removed from the cohort?
Can a student who pursues a GED be removed from the cohort?
What makes a student eligible for the Alternate Pathway to graduation?
- Be significantly cognitively disabled
- Take the alternate assessment in 9th and 10th grades
- Be marked as Alternate Pathway in eSchool
What happens when a student completes the Alternate Pathway?
What documentation is required to remove a student who transfers to another school out of state?
What documentation is required to remove a student who transfers to a private school?
What documentation is required to remove a student who emigrates to another country?
What documentation is required to remove a student who enrolls in home school?
What documentation is required to remove a student who transfers to a residential treatment facility in another district?
What documentation is required to remove a deceased student from the cohort?
Can students with significant cognitive disabilities who graduate based on IEP goals be counted in the graduation rate?
What documentation is needed to validate a student as an on-time graduate?
For more information, please contact:
Arkansas Department of Education
Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
Public School Accountability
Four Capitol Mall, Box 26
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-371-8051
Email: Brooke.McCain@ade.arkansas.gov
Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
Public School Accountability
Four Capitol Mall, Box 26
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-682-4213
Email: Jeanie.Johnson@ade.arkansas.gov