Georgia, Alabama high school graduation rates behind other state - WFXG FOX54 Augusta - Your News One Hour Earlier

Georgia, Alabama high school graduation rates behind other states

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Posted by Fadell Pitts - email
(WTVM/AP) -

Federal education officials say Alabama and Georgia are ranking behind neighboring states when it comes to students finishing high school. Alabama ranks behind neighboring Tennessee and Mississippi, but is ahead of Georgia and Florida.

Alabama has a high school graduation rate of 72%, while Georgia has a rate of 67%.

The U.S. Department of Education released the data Monday. It details 4-year high school graduation rates in 2010-11 - the first year for which all states used a common, rigorous measure.

Education officials said in a statement the new data allows for such comparisons and can be used by states, districts and schools to promote greater accountability and increase graduation rates.

Among states bordering Alabama and Georgia, Tennessee scored highest with an overall rate of 86%, followed by North Carolina at 78%.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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