The Kentucky Department of Education says the latest figures on statewide graduation rates are in, and Kentucky's rate is higher than the national mark. The National Center for Education Statistics figures show Kentucky's graduation rate in the 2012-13 school year was 86 percent. The state Department of Education says only nine states have a higher rate and six are tied with Kentucky. The national rate is 81 percent.
Kentucky Education Commissioner Terry Holliday says efforts are being made to keep students in school to help them be better prepared for college or a career. Holliday said in a news release that the college/career-readiness rate of Kentucky students is now 62.4 percent, up from 34 percent in 2010.