Iowa holds top spot for high school graduation rate

The US Department of Education released data this week detailing high school graduation rates by state in 2010-11.

By Charyn Pfeuffer - MSN Living Editor Nov 28, 2012 5:49PM

This week, Iowa was handed top honors for the nation’s highest four-year high school graduation rate in the 2010-11 academic year, according to the U.S. Department of Education. This was the first year that all 50 states used a consistent, more accurate measure.

This transition to a common metric to gauge graduation rates reflects states’ efforts to create greater uniformity and responsibility in reporting high school graduation data. In addition, it meets federal requirements established in October 2008.

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“By using this new measure, states will be more honest in holding schools accountable and ensuring that students succeed,” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said in the U.S. Department of Education report. “Ultimately, these data will help states target support to ensure more students graduate on time, college and career ready.”

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According to state data, Iowa graduated 88 percent of students, with Texas, Vermont, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Indiana and North Dakota close behind at 86 percent or better. Comparatively, Nevada and New Mexico graduated considerably fewer students; 62 and 63 percent, respectively.

Read the full story at DesMoinesRegister.com.

Photo: Ryan McVay/Getty Images

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