Rockdale high school four-year graduation rates for 2014 slipped by a few points compared to the previous year but Rockdale students are still graduating at a higher rate than the rest of the state, which increased its rate.

Rockdale County Public Schools had a 2014 graduation rate of 75.9 percent, which is a drop of 2.1 points. Previously, the graduation rate had increased significantly in the years after the cohort calculation method was put in place - from 66.3 percent in 2011 to 72 percent in 2012 to 78 percent in 2013.

The state of Georgia 2014 average increased from the previous year by less than one percentage point to 72.5 percent.

Out of Rockdale's three main high schools, Salem High had the highest rate, with 80.2 percent, followed by Rockdale County High at 79.7 percent and Heritage High at 74.5 percent.

"Although our overall rate dipped just a bit, RCPS students continue to exceed the state average with regards to the four-year cohort graduation rate," said Superintendent Autry.

"While we are pleased that at Salem and Rockdale High schools, four out of five students are graduating on-time within four years, we must also recognize that some students require a bit more time and resources to earn their diploma. Our primary focus is that 100 percent of our students graduate and earn a diploma that they can use as a means to expanding their opportunities into higher education and/or the workforce. This district will continue to improve its programs and services to all of our students until our 100 percent goal is met. I appreciate the work of our administrators, faculty and staff to keep students focused and on track for graduation."

In its press release, the Georgia Department of Education explained the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate defines the cohort based on when a student first becomes a freshman. The rate is calculated using the number of students who graduate within four years and includes adjustments for student transfers. In contrast, Georgia's former graduation rate calculation defined the cohort upon graduation, which may have included students who took more than four years to graduate from high school.

"While all states now calculate the graduation rate using the same formula, what each state requires to earn a diploma varies dramatically across the country," Superintendent Barge said. "Georgia has one of the highest sets of standards in the country for students, so our graduation rate typically doesn't look very good when compared to the nation - but it's simply not an apples-to-apples comparison. What we're ultimately concerned about in Georgia is that more and more students earn a high school diploma, and we're seeing that happen each year."