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.
GRAD RATES IN GEORGIA
The state of Georgia had an overall graduation rate of 81.6 percent in 2018. Where did individual school districts rank?
Calhoun City Schools: 92.6 percent
Catoosa County Schools: 87.8 percent
Chattooga County School District: 82.2 percent
Chickamauga City Schools: 99.1 percent
Dade County Schools: 92.2 percent
Dalton Public Schools: 78.9 percent
Gordon County Schools: 94.8 percent
Murray County Schools: 92.7 percent
Trion City Schools: 96.1 percent
Walker County Schools: 88.0 percent
Whitfield County Schools: 80.3 percent
"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.