DeKalb Schools is graduating more of its students since the state changed graduation requirements, ending the Georgia High School Graduation Test that required passing to earn a diploma.

Still, more than 500 students failed to graduate last year, according to information provided by the district.

The DeKalb County School District graduated 5,461 students in May 2018. Another 545 failed to graduate by May. District officials said more could have graduated during the summer.

The state Board of Education in 2011 voted to replace the Georgia High School Graduation Test and replace it with end-of-course exams, which would count as 20 percent of a student's overall class grade. Previously, an average of about three percent of the state's high school students each year did not receive diplomas after failing the test five times.

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Michelle Roache, pictured with her two youngest children, 3-year-old Elijah and 4-year-old Gianna, recently graduated from Clayton State University. She received a child care scholarship through Quality Care for Children and the federal Child Care Access Means Parents in School grant, which made it possible for her to finish her degree. Now the grant is on the chopping block. (Courtesy of Michelle Roache)

Credit: Photo courtesy Michelle Roache

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Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat speaks during a press interview at the district attorney’s office in Atlanta on Friday, July 12, 2024. Public safety officials presented findings from a report on repeat offenders. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com