New Hampshire reports slightly higher dropout rate in 2011-12 school year

NASHUA – About 1.26 percent of New Hampshire students dropped out in the 2011-12 school year, up slightly from the 1.19 percent that left the previous school year. But in Nashua, 68 students left the city’s two high schools without graduating, a slight drop compared to those who dropped out in the 2010-11 school year. The state released the dropout data Wednesday, reporting one of the lowest dropout rates in the nation yet again, thanks in part to a 2007 law that changed the compulsory attendance age to 18. Education Commissioner Virginia Barry said in a statement that tough economic times, cuts to school budgets and state programs like Children in Need of Services likely played a role in the slightly higher rate this year. Before cuts in 2011, CHINS was used by police and school officials to bring an at-risk youth to court if the student was chronically truant. Nashua has since developed its truancy court program to help deal with the loss. “The data contained in this report shows the schools continue to make progress in ensuring more of our young people receive their diploma.