Arkansas Sees Slight Increase in Graduation Rates
By: Jonathan Athens, KARK 4 News
Updated: November 28, 2012
Arkansas' high school graduation rates are up from 77 percent last year to just over 79 percent, but is still down compared to previous years.
The state's figures come on the heels of a US Department of Education report, the first time the feds released numbers based on a four-year measure.
Some say the slight increase in the Natural State is a hopeful sign.
"Well it makes me feel real good, graduation is a gatekeeper for many students in terms of being able to be successful beyond high school and public schools," says Arkansas Department of Education's John Hoy.
The new measurement standard allows educators to make more accurate state-by-state comparisons.
Arkansas, Iowa and North Dakota have higher graduation rates than California, for example.
The state's figures come on the heels of a US Department of Education report, the first time the feds released numbers based on a four-year measure.
Some say the slight increase in the Natural State is a hopeful sign.
"Well it makes me feel real good, graduation is a gatekeeper for many students in terms of being able to be successful beyond high school and public schools," says Arkansas Department of Education's John Hoy.
The new measurement standard allows educators to make more accurate state-by-state comparisons.
Arkansas, Iowa and North Dakota have higher graduation rates than California, for example.
