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Fewer Low-Income Students Graduate Mass. Schools

Massachusetts has one of the highest high school graduation rates in the United States, but low-income students disproportionality lag behind.

A report released on Monday by the foundation America's Promise says the state ranked in the top tier of the United States with 85 percent of students graduating in 2012. Only about two-thirds of low-income students received diplomas that year.

Hispanic and black students graduated at greater levels in Massachusetts and nationally, but are still far behind white students.

Two-thirds of all students graduated Boston schools.

State education officials say they have invested in professional development since 2010 that focuses on the transition to high school for English language learners, cultural competency and serving special education students.

A similar disparity was reported in other states, particularly Hawaii, Indiana and Texas.

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