Massachusetts Dropout Rate Drops Slightly

The high school dropout rate in the Commonwealth has gone down by four-tenths of a percent.

The dropout rate fell from 3.8 percent in the 2006-2007 school year to 3.4 percent last year.

Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester attributes the change to a growing awareness among students that a high school diploma is necessary in this economy.

He also says successful intervention programs are keeping kids engaged in school. But Chester says he's pleased to see some ethnic groups are doing better.

"The dropout rate for black and Hispanic student have in fact improved compared to year prior," he say. "So that’s encouraging to see that improvement."

But blacks and Hispanics are still dropping out at a higher rate than their white and Asian peers.