Video: Alabama’s Graduation Rate Improves to 89 Percent

[syndicaster id=’6171369′]

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama has reached a record graduation rate, with nearly nine out of 10 students now leaving high school with a diploma.

The Alabama Department of Education announced the milestone Thursday.

Officials said that in the last school year, 89 percent of students graduated from high school.

The rate is within one percentage point of the department’s goal of a 90 percent graduation rate by 2020.

The state’s graduation rate has previously been as low as 72 percent.

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley says the achievement is a testament to hard-working teachers and school staff.