High School Graduations on the Rise in Minnesota

High school graduation rates in Minnesota continue to increase. 

The Minnesota Department of Education released the state’s 2015 graduation rates on Monday. 

The department reports that nearly 82 percent of high school students graduated last year. 

That’s up from about 81 percent in 2014. 

Graduation rates for students of color also increased last year, with Hispanic and black teens seeing the biggest gains.  The report shows that 62 percent of black students graduated in 2015 compared to 60.4 percent in 2014. 

Hispanic students graduated at a rate of 65.6 percent compared to 63.2 percent the year before. 

Graduation rates for both boys and girls increased last year, although about 5 percent more girls graduated.