For the nation, the graduation rate for the 2013-14 school year was up nearly a percentage point from 81 percent the previous year, and was the highest rate since the department started using a new, uniform measure in 2010.
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According to the Department of Education’s National Center for Educational Statistics, the nation’s graduation rate hit 82% in the 2013/2014 school year.
This story has been corrected to show Wisconsin, not Wyoming, among the states with the highest graduation rates.
In both states, about 90 percent of students receive a diploma. The District of Columbia had the lowest rate, with 61 percent.
The Latino graduation rate was higher than the American Indian/Alaskan Native and black demographics.
The Asian/Pacific Islander demographic accounted for the highest graduation level at 89.4 percent, although this group has maintained high levels for the last few years.
“America’s students have achieved another record milestone by improving graduation rates for a fourth year”, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said.
The national rate is more than 82 percent, which is the highest it’s ever been. For example, in Arizona, just 18.1 percent of English language learners graduated on time while the rate for English language learners in Arkansas was 84.1 percent.
The gap for African-American students was much closer at 72.5 percent nationwide, compared to Arizona’s 71 percent.
For the third year in row, federal officials say that the graduation rate for the nation’s students with disabilities is on the rise. Staci Hupp, spokeswoman for the Iowa Department of Education, said multiple factors contributed to the state’s ranking, including teacher leadership training and reading proficiency efforts for students in elementary school.
Meanwhile, a lower percentage of whites and Asians in Oklahoma graduated than the national average.
He said one way that Arizona is trying to improve rates is through the state’s Education and Career Plan Program.
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According to Delegated Deputy Secretary John King, in a statement, a high school diploma is “absolutely critical” and key to future success in college, work and in life.
