Hispanics lag most in Mass. high schools

WALTHAM -- Nearly half of Hispanic high school freshmen and more than a third of black, urban, and low-income freshmen in 2002 failed to graduate four years later, according to public school data the state Department of Education released yesterday.

The statistics represent the most comprehensive look yet by the state at which students are graduating on time, who is taking longer, and who is dropping out.

Overall, 80 percent of public-school freshmen in Massachusetts in 2002 went on to graduate within four years. Of those who didn't, 6 percent remained in school, 12 percent dropped out, and a small number either completed school without a diploma or got a GED.

Roughly 64 percent of black students, 62 percent of special-education students, and 55 percent of students with limited English skills graduated in four years. Of Hispanic students, 57 percent graduated in four years.