Georgia makes big jump in graduation rate nationally

Georgia’s public school high school graduation rate rose by more percentage points than any other state, with only Washington, D.C. having a higher increase, according to federal data released Monday.

The state’s graduation rate rose from 72.5 percent for the 2013-14 school year to 78.8 percent for the 2014-15 school year. The graduation rate in Washington, D.C. went up from 61.4 percent to 68.5 percent. President Obama planned to visit a school in the nation’s capital Monday to tout the increases there and nationally.

Georgia education officials say graduation rates have risen due to several factors, such as schools doing a better job of using data to track academic performance to help students improve.

Georgia’s graduation rate, though, is still below the national average of 83.2, a record high, White House officials said in a news release. State officials have blamed the below-average graduation rate on more rigorous course requirements.

About the Author

Atlanta HBCUs lift shelter-in-place order after threat

Clark Atlanta, Morris Brown, Morehouse and Spelman issued now-lifted shelter-in-place orders Thursday after a threat to CAU.

Perdue vows to protect universities’ ‘civil debate’ in wake of Kirk’s killing

University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue issued a statement on the importance of free speech after Charlie Kirk was shot and killed.

DeKalb school district to spend $1.6 million on cellphone lockers

Starting next year, schools must enforce a statewide cellphone ban for elementary and middle schoolers.

The Latest

Credit: NATRICE MILLER

Atlanta HBCUs lift shelter-in-place order after threat

Perdue vows to protect universities’ ‘civil debate’ in wake of Kirk’s killing

DeKalb school district to spend $1.6 million on cellphone lockers

Featured

Credit: Miguel Martinez

Delta suspends employees for social posts related to Charlie Kirk’s killing

Delta joins a list of employers, including an NFL team and news network MSNBC, that have punished employees for posting inflammatory comments about Kirk’s death.

As Tech, UGA celebrate, a historic first for state’s Division I teams

All seven of the state's FBS and FBC teams — Georgia, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Kennesaw State, Mercer and West Georgia — prevailed Saturday.

Suspect arrested after North Georgia officer shot in line of duty

Capt. Brantley Worley remains in critical condition after incident in McCaysville, which is near the Georgia-Tennessee border.