New Mexico saw a dip in the number of students who earned diplomas last year, but state education officials say the graduation rate for 2015 is still an improvement over levels reported a few years ago.
Figures released Friday by the Public Education Department show the statewide graduation rate dropped about 1 percent to 68.6 percent, far below the most recent national graduation rate of about 82 percent.
Albuquerque and Rio Rancho saw declines as did schools in the Las Cruces district, but officials reported an improved rate in Santa Fe.
Districts in Bernalillo, Bloomfield, Clovis and Espanola all saw rates increase by 5 percent or more.
In Belen, high school principal Rodney Wright was ecstatic about a more than 14 percent increase. He said the success will be celebrated but teachers and staff will continue to work to track student progress.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.