CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s high school graduation rates have improved over the past five years.
According to new state Department of Education figures, the rates have jumped 8.5 percent since the fall of 2008.
In the 2012-13 school year, data shows that 79.3 percent of high school seniors graduated. That number is up from 2008-09 numbers of 70.8 percent.
The improving numbers is being credited to retention and alternative education programs in schools, as well as an anti-truancy initiative the state Supreme Court started last year.
Supreme Court Justice Robin Davis applauded circuit court judges Wednesday for upholding the program that holds families accountable when kids miss too much time from school.