NC education leaders prepare 'asterisk' for immigration enforcement’s effect on graduation rates

May 8, 2026 - 19:54

North Carolina education leaders are preparing to add a footnote to this year's high school graduation data if federal immigration enforcement actions cause a drop in the numbers. State officials say they may place an asterisk next to the final graduation rate to explain any decline linked to increased immigration crackdowns.

The move comes as schools across the state report rising absences and withdrawals among immigrant students and their families. Some districts have seen a noticeable dip in attendance since federal authorities stepped up operations in certain communities. Educators worry that fear of deportation is keeping students home or pushing families to leave the state entirely.

State education leaders argue that a raw graduation number without context could be misleading. If the rate falls, they want the public to understand that the drop is not due to poor school performance but to external pressures beyond the classroom. The asterisk would serve as a brief explanation attached to the official data.

Critics say the plan could politicize education statistics. Supporters counter that it is a matter of transparency. Either way, the final decision will come after the school year ends and the numbers are tallied. For now, the state is watching enrollment trends closely, with some districts already reporting lower counts than expected.