JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — State officials say 83 percent of Mississippi seniors graduated on time from high school in 2016-2017, the highest share on record.
The news, announced Thursday, comes as some lawmakers demand elimination of subject area tests that affect whether students can graduate.
State Superintendent Carey Wright says the higher rate is just one measure showing Mississippi schools are improving.
The nationwide graduation rate was 84 percent, according to most recent date.
The graduation rate for children with disabilities, a dismal 28 percent in 2015, has risen to 36 percent.
A significant fraction of students now graduate without passing end-of-course exams in English, algebra I, biology and United State history. Passing all four tests was required until 2014. It's unclear how much of Mississippi's improvement stems from graduation routes that go around the tests.
-By Jeff Amy, Associated Press
