JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - A new graduation rate report shows Hispanic and American Indian students in Missouri lost ground while overall the state and nation made gains.
The report showed only 47 percent of Hispanic males and 38 percent of American Indian/Alaska Native students graduated in 2008. That's the latest year tracked in the "Diplomas Count" report by Education Week magazine.
For both groups that represents a drop of 4 percentage points from the previous year.
The Missouri rates are 5 percentage points lower than the national average for Hispanic males and 11 percentage points lower for American Indian/Alaska Native males.
Black males in Missouri made gains, with their graduation rate jumping by nearly 5 percentage points to 52 percent.
The graduation rate was 77 percent overall in Missouri and 72 percent nationally.