Georgia’s high school graduation rate has increased the past few years. But new data from the National Center for Education Statistics show the state’s high school dropout rate is above the national average.
It’s important to note these two numbers do not have an inverse relationship. For example, Georgia’s high school graduation rate for 2013 was about 72 percent. That did not mean its dropout rate that year was 28 percent.
“In 2013, among all 16-24 year olds in Georgia, 8.7 percent did not have a high school credential,” says Joel McFarland, a statistician with the NCES who co-authored the report.
Read this story now for free
To continue reading, sign up for our newsletter and get unlimited access to WABE.org
You can select your preferences for news and local content. We will never share your email address. Learn how your newsletter sign-up will support WABE and Public Media