Indiana graduation rate rises to 85 percent

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The state Department of Education reports that more than 85 percent of Indiana high school students graduated last school year.

The report released Tuesday says the 85.7 percent graduation rate is 1.6 percent better than the previous year and 4.3 percent better than in 2009.

It's also the highest graduation rate since the state started keeping track in 2005.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett says about 45 percent of public high schools graduated 90 percent of students in four years.

He says 83 percent of school graduated 80 percent or more of their seniors.

Bennett praised the efforts of educators, students, parents and community members in working to increase graduation rates.

He says graduating from high school with a meaningful diploma is critical to success in life.