Dropout rate hits five-year low

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Fewer Oklahoma students are dropping out of school. <br><br>Figures from the Oklahoma State Department of Education show that the number of high school dropouts is at the lowest

Friday, March 24th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Fewer Oklahoma students are dropping out of school.

Figures from the Oklahoma State Department of Education show that the number of high school dropouts is at the lowest level in five years.

Figures also show that 750 fewer students dropped out last year compared to the year before. There were 8,700 students who quit school last year in grades nine through 12.

The dropout rate has fallen for the third straight year and the decline last year was the biggest since 1994.

Oklahoma's dropout rate has fallen as enrollment has increased by 13,000 students in grades nine through 12 since 1995.

Mary Merritt is in charge of dropout programs and alternative schools for the state.

Merritt says every age group except one saw a decline in the number of dropouts last year.

Blacks were the only racial or ethnic group that saw an increase in dropouts. State figures show that 14 more black students quit school compared with to the year before.