Posted 11/24/21

Tennessee’s high school graduation rate has declined, according to new data released Tuesday.

About 88.7% of Tennessee public school students in the Class of 2021 graduated on time this spring, down almost a full percentage point from 2020, according the state education department.

The decline came after the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the state to relax graduation requirements soon after the virus emerged and likely would be worse without the emergency rule.

State Officials vowed to improve graduation rates with new learning initiatives. Tennessee launched summer camps and tutoring programs this year and also provides workshops to prepare high school students to take the ACT college preparatory test.