March 28, 2024

Feds: Iowa’s graduation rate highest in nation

DES MOINES (AP) — The U.S. Department of Education says Iowa had the nation’s top graduation rate in the 2010 school year, with about 88 percent of students graduating.

The Des Moines Register reports the figure narrowly beat Wisconsin’s 87 percent rate.

Nevada had the lowest rate, with 62 percent graduation, just ahead of New Mexico’s 63 percent rate.

The 2010-2011 academic year was the first time all states used uniform standards to measure the number of students who graduated.

Iowa Department of Education Director Jason Glass commended educators for the high graduation rate but noted in a statement Monday that low income students, non-native English speakers and those with special needs performed at a lower level than other students.