Camden school officials tout 'real gains' as graduation rate climbs

Dropout rates have also decreased.

CAMDEN -- Graduation rates are up in the Camden City School District and dropout rates have decreased since the state took over the school district in 2013.

Superintendent Paymon Rouhanifard announced the progress Monday in an annual State of the Schools report at the Alfred Cramer College Preparatory Lab School that also noted additional steps parents would like to see, such as special education options.

"Our students are making real gains, and I applaud them as well as their teachers and families for working hard and earning this progress," Rouhanifard said.

According to information provided by the school district, the graduation rate has climbed from 49 percent in the 2011-12 school year to 70 percent in the 2015-16 school year. The dropout rate fell from 21 percent to 12 percent in the same time period, according to the district.

Other steps noted by the district include:

• Truancy court referrals, which are at 20 so far in 2016 compared to 36 this time last year
• $313 million currently being spent on school renovations
• Bus access for more than 200 students who live approximately 2 miles from their high school
• Gains in both math and English proficiency.

Report card reveals how schools stack up

However, student proficiency in reading and math remains in the single-digit percentages, according to state test results cited by the district.

"We can't stop now -- too much of our city's future depends on the quality of education our students can access," school board President Martha F. Wilson said. "The board members and I will continue to push and support Superintendent Rouhanifard to build on this progress and help reach all of our students and families."

The superintendent, who was appointed by Gov. Chris Christie to run the district, delivered a similar progress report to the state Board of Education in Trenton last week.

Despite praise from state officials, no mention was made of returning the district to local control -- something Camden City activists have recently sought after the decision was made to raze Camden High School and rebuild it to the tune of $133 million in state School Development Authority funds.

Rouhanifard -- who has held 77 public meetings in the nearly four years he has been superintendent -- heard from parents ahead of the State of the Schools gathering that special education and parent-teacher relationships should be addressed in the coming year.

"We have more to do for more of our students, especially the most vulnerable ones. By continuing to partner with our community and the Board, we can continue seeking the difficult but necessary improvements that have made this progress possible," Rouhanifard said.