Oregon had a goal to graduate all high school students by 2025. Why is that so hard?

Last week, we introduced you to OPB’s Class of 2025 project, where we are following a class of kindergarteners on their journey all the way through high school. The idea stems from a goal Oregon set more than a decade ago – a 100% high school graduation rate by 2025.    As the Class of 2025 has grown, so has Oregon. That once tall order of a 100% high school graduation rate is no longer the goal. Oregon’s new governor Tina Kotek has another goal in mind: 90% high school graduation rate by 2027.    This week, we want to ask some of the tough questions raised by the reporting OPB has done over the last decade with this project. The biggest ones: Why is Oregon's graduation rate still lower than other states, even after focusing on improving it all these years? And maybe more broadly - is trying to get to 100 percent even the right goal? If it's not, what is? Education reporter Elizabeth Miller is back with us this week to help answer these questions.   Check out OPB’s Class of 2025 podcast.   Check out OPB’s Class of 2025 reporting. For more Evergreen episodes and to share your voice with us, visit our showpage. Follow OPB on Instagram, and follow host Jenn Chávez too. You can sign up for OPB’s newsletters to get what you need in your inbox regularly.   Don’t forget to check out our many podcasts, which can be found on any of your favorite podcast apps: Timber Wars Season 2: Salmon Wars Politics Now Think Out Loud And many more! Check out our full show list here.