The nationwide high school graduation rate has risen for the fourth consecutive year, according to recently released federal data. This year, it reached a record high of 83.2 percent, a 4.2 percentage-point increase since the 2010–11 school year, the first year all states used the same method to calculate graduation rates.

The increase applied across all racial and ethnic categories, as well as for disabled students and students from low-income families. Graduation rates for black and Hispanic students rose faster than the overall rate, narrowing the graduation gap between these students and their white and Asian peers. 

Graduation rates grew in all states but two: Arizona and Wyoming. Alabama experienced the largest increase, with its graduation rate growing from 72 percent in 2011 to 89.3 percent this year. The graduation rate in New York State rose from 77 percent to 79.2 percent over the same span of time.

Education Week, Oct. 17

Associated Press, Oct. 17