Rising US Graduation Rates Strengthen Hopes of Sustainable Economic Growth

More American high school students are graduating than ever before, according to data from the US Education Department. Preliminary data released this week indicate 36 states saw higher graduation rates for the 2013-2014 school year.

“The hard work of America’s educators, families, communities and students is paying off, particularly after several years of intense work by educators transitioning to new, higher standards. This is a vital step toward readiness for success in college and careers for every student in this country,” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said.

But analysts say the educators have a long way to go to support the nation’s economic strength. High school graduation rates are declining in Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico and Oklahoma, although more students are graduating in states including Delaware, Alabama, Oregon, West Virginia, and Illinois.

However, the report has a lot of things for Americans to cheer about. If you hold this report in contrast with past reports, you will see the graduation gap between black and white students decreasing in 28 states, the gap between Hispanic and white students decreasing in 32 states, and the gap between economically disadvantaged students and all students decreasing in 23 states.

Eight states, the department said, showed no improvement over the previous school year. They were: Colorado, Kansas, Maine, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Texas.

Considering the report, Iowa was the overall top performer with a 90.5% overall graduation rate and Alaska was the worst performer with a 71.1% graduation rate.

Today, America’s overall graduation rate stands at 81 percent, an all-time high. Interestingly, the graduation rate started going up after the Department began using a new common measurement, which analysts say promotes greater accountability and develops strategies that will help reduce dropout rates and increase graduation rates.

Thanks to technology, educators can identify problems with education and prescribe cure in no time. Nevertheless, some analysts have suggested that the Department should also look for ways to improve students’ experience in schools and lay down rules to protect children from shootings.