The following is a press release sent by Lincoln Public Schools, discussing their higher graduation rates.

The high school graduation rate at Lincoln Public Schools increased to more than 80 percent for the 2008-09 school year, with increases in graduation rates for all of the major ethnic minority groups as well.

The dropout rate fell to the lowest in the School District's history, according to numbers that will be reported at the Lincoln Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 8.

"These are numbers worthy of celebration and affirmation," said LPS Superintendent Susan Gourley. "This is the result of much hard work, solid commitment and fine accomplishments from our teachers, staff and students."

The LPS graduation rate for the 2008-09 school year was 80.3 percent, a substantial increase compared to77.9 percent the previous year, and the second highest in LPS history.

The dropout rate for 2008-09 was10.6 percent, the lowest ever at LPS.

"There is no magical formula here, but instead, both the graduation and dropout rates are the result of ongoing programs that pay attention to individual students," said Marilyn Moore, Associate Superintendent for Instruction at LPS.

"This is about kid-by-kid work," Moore continued. "I believe everybody worked hard to make this happen, and everything worked a little better for this class of students. There were more supports in place, more ways for students to belong and feel connected to schools, and more students connected to the necessary community agencies."

Currently, most nationwide studies place the U.S. high school graduation rate at around 70 percent, but that number varies widely across the country.

The average high school graduation rate in the nations 50 largest cities is just over 50 percent, according to a report from Americas Promise Alliance, a nonprofit group.