Spokane school district approves 90 percent on-time graduation goal

On Wednesday the Spokane Public Schools board of directors unanimously approved a 90 percent on-time graduation goal for the 2016-17 school year, despite falling short of the same goal last year.

The 2015-16 graduation rate was about 86 percent.

“This last 5, 6 or 10 percent, this is where the rubber hits the road,” said district spokesman Kevin Morrison. “These are most difficult and challenging students that we will have.”

Morrison said the district’s increased focused on restorative discipline, credit retrieval programs and continued use of the early-warning system will help push the district up to 90 percent on-time graduation.

“They thought it was ambitious,” Morrison said of the school board, “but they unanimously approved it.”