Georgia high school graduation rate rises to all-time high

Georgia's high school graduation rate increased to more than 81 percent in 2018.

The increase, a slight improvement from 2017, is an almost 20 percent increase since 2012 when the state began using the adjusted cohort calculation now required by federal law.

"Georgia's graduation rate continues to rise because our public-school students have access to more opportunities than ever before," said Richard Woods, state school superintendent in a statement. "From Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education to dual enrollment to the fine arts, there is an unprecedented emphasis on supporting the whole child and making sure every single student understands the relevance of what they're learning. I'm confident we'll continue to see these gains as long as we're still expanding opportunities that keep students invested in their education."

Seventy-four Georgia school districts recorded 2018 graduation rates at or above 90 percent.

Georgia's high school graduation rate is calculated by the number of students who start ninth grade and graduate in four years with a regular high school diploma.

The state's 80.6 percent graduation rate for the 2016-2017 school year trailed behind Tennessee's 89.1 percent and Alabama's 90.3 percent.

The Georgia Department of Education does contend that it has some of the most rigorous graduation requirements in the country,, which are defined by individual states.

Contact staff writer Meghan Mangrum at mmangrum@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6592. Follow her on Twitter @memangrum.