The Every Student Counts Act would seek to hold high schools responsible for graduating students by improving the calculation of and accountability for high school graduation rates. Specifically, the bill would require states, schools, and districts to use a common, accurate graduation rate calculation. The bill would also give schools credit for graduating students who may take longer than the typical four years to graduate with a regular diploma. It would also require high schools with graduation rates of less than 90 percent to make aggressive but attainable increases in their graduation rates as part of the annual accountability requirements under the No Child Left Behind Act. To ensure that schools are held accountable for the graduation of all students, this requirement would apply to the overall graduation rate as well as the graduation rate of each subgroup of students.

About the Every Student Counts Act:

• To learn more about the Senate version of Every Student Counts Act, read the bill summary.
• For answers on Frequently Asked Questions about the Every Student Counts Act, read the Every Student Counts Act: Q & A.

From the sponsors of the Every Student Counts Act:

• Senator Tom Harkin and Congressman Bobby Scott's joint press release.

Support for the Every Student Counts Act: Since being introduced in the 111th Congress on March 17, 2009, the Every Student Counts Act has garnered support from members of the education community.

• Nearly thirty organizations, including the Alliance for Excellent Education, National Association of State Boards of Education, National Education Association, National Parent Teacher Association, Public Education Network, United Way of America, and New York City Public Schools Chancellor Joel Klein signed on to joint letters in support of the Every Student Counts Act.

Letter to Senator Tom Harkin
Letter to Congressman Bobby Scott