FROM INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING

The Indiana Department of Education says the class of 2024 has set a new record for graduation rates.

About 90 percent of Indiana students earned their diplomas, a slight increase from last year’s 89 percent. The department also reports fewer students required waivers to graduate, indicating more met post-secondary readiness standards.

Graduation rates were highest among White and Asian students, while Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Black students showed improvement but still had the lowest rates. Lower-income students also lagged behind their higher-income peers by about two percentage points.

Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner says the state must, quote, “keep its foot on the gas pedal” to maintain progress.