Tennessee high school graduation rate rises

Tennessee's high school graduation rate is up nearly 1 percent from last year, bringing the rate to 88.5 percent, according to data released Tuesday.

The new number is a record since the state in 2011 began more rigorously calculating graduation rates.

Nearly 60 percent of districts saw their graduation rates increase or stay the same when compared with last year’s rates.

“Our schools and districts should be proud of the work they have done to support students on their journeys to and beyond high school graduation,” Education Commissioner Candice McQueen said in a statement.

“High school graduation is a critical step in allowing students to embark on their chosen paths in life. However, as more Tennessee students are earning their diplomas, we must ensure that they are all leaving with the knowledge and skills to be successful in college and the workforce," McQueen said.

School districts within Middle Tennessee, with the exception of Metro Nashville Public Schools, surpassed the statewide graduation rate with rates of 90 percent or higher.

Metro Schools had an 81 percent graduation rate for the 2015-16 school year, down from 81.6 percent the previous year.

But 14 of Metro's 23 high schools improved graduation rates, spokesman Joe Bass said.

"Our data and research teams will dive into them looking for patterns, correlations and possible reasons behind changes in individual school rates," Bass said by email.

For the 2015-16 school year, Williamson County Schools and Wilson County Schools had the highest graduation rates in the region with a 95.5 percent and 95.1 percent graduation rate, respectively.

Overall, the statewide graduation rate has increased 3 percentage points since 2011.

While ACT scores and graduation rates are slightly improving in Tennessee, few students are college-ready according to ACT tests. Only about a fifth of high school students who took the ACT last year were deemed college-ready in English, math, reading and science.

The state calculates the graduation rate based on the number of students who graduate within four years plus a summer. Before 2011, graduation rates included students who graduated in five years plus a summer.

Reach Melanie Balakit at 615-926-1638 and on Twitter @MelanieBalakit. 

Statewide

• About 60 percent of school districts had graduation rates at or above 90 percent for the past two school years.
• More than 70 percent of school districts had graduation rates at or above 90 percent for 2015-16, up from 81 school districts last year. 
• Six districts had graduation rates at or above 99 percent: Fentress County, Alcoa City, South Carroll Special School District, Milan Special School District, Meigs County and Crockett County.

Graduation rates by county

Cheatham County

2014-15: 90.1

2015-16: 91.9

Davidson County

2014-15: 81.6

2015-16: 81

Dickson County

2014-15: 90.2 

2015-16: 93.5

Montgomery County

2014-15: 96.5

2015-16: 94.8

Robertson County

2014-15: 95.2

2015-16: 94.4

Rutherford County

2014-15: 93.9

2015-16: 95.2

Sumner County

2014-15: 91.6

2015-16: 92.2

Wilson County 

2014-15: 95.7

2015-16: 95.1

Williamson County 

2014-15: 95.5

2015-16: 95.5