JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Governor Rick Scott announced that Florida’s high school graduation rate has reached a 14-year high according to data released today by the Florida Department of Education. For the 2016-17 school year, Florida’s statewide graduation rate rose to 82.3 percent, an increase of 23.1 percentage points since 2003-04 and 1.6 percentage points over last year.

Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce that Florida’s high school graduation rate has reached a 14-year high. We want every Florida student to have access to a world-class education so they can succeed in the classroom and their future careers, and that is why my recommended Securing Florida’s Future budget includes historic funding for education for the sixth consecutive year, including significant investments for teachers and students in our K-12 system. I look forward to working with the Legislature during the upcoming session to make sure our students have the resources they need to continue to build on this accomplishment for years to come.”

Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart said, “I am thrilled to celebrate our state’s students and educators on this monumental accomplishment. Excelling in high school opens doors to opportunities that provide students long-term benefits, and Florida’s steady increase is promising for our state’s and students’ futures.”

Florida’s graduation rates vary by race/ethnicity, but all groups have increased their graduation rates over the last year. The subgroups with the highest percentage point increase over the last five years are as follows:

• The statewide graduation rate among Black or African American students increased by 10.2 percentage points over the last five years, rising from 64.6 percent in 2012-13 to 74.8 percent in 2016-17.
• The statewide graduation rate among Hispanic students increased by 6.4 percentage points over the last five years, rising from 74.9 percent in 2012-13 to 81.3 percent in 2016-17.
• The statewide graduation rate among students with disabilities increased by 13.7 percentage points, rising from 52.3 percent in 2012-13 to 66.0 percent in 2016-17.
• The statewide graduation rate among economically disadvantaged students increased by 9.8 percentage points, rising from 67.0 percent in 2012-13 to 76.8 percent in 2016-17.

For more information about the 2016-17 graduation rates, click HERE.