ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - School officials and activists are encouraged by New Mexico's latest graduation rates, which show a narrowing of the state's achievement gap.
According to data released Thursday by the state Public Education Department, nearly all ethnic groups saw gains between the graduating class of 2008 and the class of 2009.
The biggest gains were among American Indian and Hispanic students, who gained 8 and 6.8 percentage points, respectively. Asian students and African-American students both held steady and Anglo students improved by 3.2 percentage points.
Students with disabilities saw the largest jump, up 11.9 percentage points to 65 percent.
Overall, the statewide graduation rate for the class of 2009 was 66.1 percent, up from 60.3 percent the previous year.
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Information from: Albuquerque Journal
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