On-time graduation rate increases in Sioux Falls School District, while ACT testing decreases

Students in the Sioux Falls School District graduated on time at the highest level in five years, according to an academic report presented to the school board on Monday night.

In the 2020-2021 school year, 85.54% of students graduated on time, higher than the state overall at 82.88% this year.

The completer rate for the school year was 88.74%, which is the percentage of students who persisted toward a diploma or GED and indicates the district continues to work with students to reach graduation beyond four years of high school.

Only 52% of the graduating class — 771 students — took the ACT, with scores outpacing state and national averages.

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The class of 2021 saw a decrease in students who voluntarily participated, with lower participation rates attributing to more than 1,000 schools having adopted test-optional admission policies, including a growing number of public universities.

Nationally, ACT participation decreased 22.5%; state ACT participation decreased 9.6%, and district-wide ACT participation decreased 6.7%. In 2020, the ACT participation rate in Sioux Falls was 59.3%. Only 40 graduating students took the SAT.

Teresa Boysen, assistant superintendent, said the state report cards are not comparable to past years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and unprecedented learning conditions.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: On-time graduation rate grows, while ACT testing slows