Indiana’s 2024 graduation rate hits record high, but disparities persist

This story was originally posted on WFYI. Indiana’s high school graduation rate reached a record high of 90.23% with the Class of 2024, inching past the previous peak of 90.06% set in 2014. The increase continues a rebound from the decade-low rate in 2022. However, significant disparities persist among racial, economic, and special education groups. “Over the past year, we have celebrated a number of successes in K-12 education, and there is urgency to continue this positive momentum for Indiana students,” Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education, said in a statement Monday. “As a state, we have seen literacy rates increase for the third consecutive year, chronic absenteeism rates improve for the second year in a row, and today, the highest state graduation rate on record.” The 2024 rate represents the highest graduation rate since the state began publishing data, according to the Indiana Department of Education.& Racial and economic gaps remain Despite progress across all demographics, disparities persist. Graduation rates for Black and Hispanic students, at 83.88% and 87.83% respectively in 2024, remain below the overall state average of 90.23%. While both groups saw slight gains from last year, they still lag behind White students, whose graduation rate rose...