The new data show about one-out-of-seven students left school and did not get a diploma with the rest of their class in 2011.
That puts the state's dropout rate at 14.5%…down more than 2% from the previous year.
Keric Ashley is with the state Department of Education, which released the data. He says the biggest decrease was seen in English learners - 4% fewer dropped out, while 2% and 3% fewer Hispanic and black students left school, respectively.
"It's great to see that they've made gains but we need to keep the pressure up and we need to keep those kids in school because they are not yet graduating or staying in school as well as their peers."
Dropout rates do not take into account students who drop out
before ninth grade.
The graduation rate in 2011 was 76%…a 1.5% uptick from the
graduation rate in 2010.