This week, I joined City Schools CEO Dr. Andres Alonso, elected officials, faith and community leaders, students, principals, and teachers to announce some outstanding progress in our schools. New data shows that the record three-year gains Baltimore City Public Schools reported in its dropout and graduation rates earlier this month were largely driven by the academic progress of African American male students. According to an analysis, the gains for African American male students in the last three years outpaced the district rates. Their dropout rate is down 59 percent, and their graduation rate is up 12.4 percent.

The number of African American male dropouts in City Schools decreased from 1,439 in 2006-07 to 593 in 2009-10. At the same time, the number of African American male graduates increased from 1,537 in 2006-07 to 1,724 in 2009-10. The bottom line is that in 2006-07, City Schools had nearly equal numbers of African American male dropouts and graduates. Now, the district has nearly three times as many graduates as dropouts among African American males.

When it comes to actual dropout rates, the progress of City Schools' African American males is outpacing that of the district overall:

• City Schools' African American male dropout rate declined from 11.9 percent in 2006-07 to 4.9 percent in 2009-10-a 59 percent decrease.
• City Schools' overall dropout rate declined from 9.4 percent in 2006-07 to 4.1 percent in 2009-10-a 56 percent decrease.

Ditto with graduation:

• City Schools' African American male graduation rate increased from 51 percent in 2006-07 to 57.3 percent in 2009-10-a 12.4 percent increase.
• City Schools' overall graduation rate increased from 60 percent in 2006-07 to 66 percent in 2009-10-a 10 percent increase.

City Schools officials attribute the graduation and dropout gains among African American males to a range of strategies to reach out to students and support them in school. In the last two years the district has conducted several Great Kids Come Back campaigns, knocking on the doors of students who have dropped out of school and encouraging them to return. The district has also expanded middle and high school options so that students have an easier middle to high school transition, and increased access to advanced academic, alternative, and accelerator programs.

At the same time, many schools are partnering with community-based organizations to pair students who may be most marginally connected to school and vulnerable to gangs and other negative influences with youth specialists.

Baltimore's schools continue to improve and move forward because we refuse to let anyone slip through the cracks. I am proud of Dr. Alonso, his administrators, principals, and teachers for creating an environment where every student can be nurtured and succeed. I am also grateful for the parents and families of our most vulnerable students for giving them the support they need to stay in school and earn their diploma.

For more information, visit the Baltimore City School website, or read the Baltimore Sun's story about the announcement, "Fewer black males are dropping out of school in Baltimore".