On June 11, MASA and MASSP released a joint memo to members to urge them to avoid releasing Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI) preliminary graduation rate data before the formal release of statewide date with the Michigan High School Report Card sometime in early August 2008.

There is concern that early release of graduation rate data by some districts will put pressure on other district leaders to do so before they or their staff members are fully prepared to answer questions by the media and the public. As you might imagine, t he news regarding 4-year cohort graduation rates will not be positive for many districts, and will pose a challenge for districts to shape their messages in a positive way.