Tennessee high school graduation rate dips for first time since 2013
Haywood County (Tenn.) High School graduates the Class of 2020 during a socially distanced ceremony at its football field on June 13. (Courtesy of Chris McCain)
Marta W. Aldrich
Marta W. Aldrich is the senior statehouse correspondent at Chalkbeat Tennessee. A newswoman for The Associated Press for most of her career, Marta has covered state government, politics, business, education and other Tennessee news. She has served as news editor of United Methodist News Service and features editor of American Profile magazine. Marta is a graduate of Memphis City Schools and the University of Missouri School of Journalism.
Data released this week by the state education department showed about 89.6% of public high school seniors earned their diplomas within four years, down by just one-tenth of a percentage point. Still many observers were surprised by any decline.
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