State Graduation Rate Nearing Long-Term Goal

The state’s graduation rates are on the uptick. In a news conference Thursday, Governor Robert Bentley and state education leaders announced the 2014-2015 graduation rate is at 89%.

Increasing the high school graduation rate in Alabama is a primary objective of PLAN 2020, Alabama’s template for education reform. The state board of education set a goal of reaching a 90% graduation rate by 2020 and the state is on course to meet that challenge. Alabama’s graduation rate climbed steadily every year from 72% in 2012 to 90% in 2015.

Governor Bentley expressed his support for the efforts made to achieve this milestone.

“I commend Dr. Bice and the leadership of the State Board of Education for prioritizing this effort. I am confident that by working together, we will continue to move our state forward.”

Dr. Tommy Bice, State Superintendent of Education said although he is very pleased with the increases in the graduation rate, the state must continue its efforts to make sure students are not only graduating, but graduating prepared for the workforce and/or college after high school.