By SCOTT ROTHSCHILD, The Lawrence Journal-World
Kansas' four-year high school graduation rate was tied for 12th in the country at 83 percent for the 2010-2011 academic year.
The data released by the U.S. Department of Education represents the first-ever list detailing state-by-state graduation rates using more rigorous measures, the agency said.
"By using this new measure, states will be more honest in holding schools accountable and ensuring that students succeed," U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said in a statement. "Ultimately, these data will help states target support to ensure more students graduate on time, college and career ready," said Duncan, who visited Kansas in September and gave a speech at the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site.
Iowa had the highest graduation rate at 88 percent, while Vermont and Wisconsin were tied for second at 87 percent. Six states — Indiana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Tennessee and Texas — were at 86 percent, while Illinois and Maine were at 84 percent.
At 83 percent were Kansas, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and South Dakota.
