Gov. Susana Martinez has announced that New Mexico's high school graduation rate has jumped to 70 percent, still far below the national average of about 78 percent.
The Republican governor said Thursday at a Rio Rancho High School press conference that the 2012 four-year high school graduation rose 7 points from last year. Martinez said graduate rates also increased for Latino and American Indian students.
Federal 2010-2011 data showed New Mexico having a 63 percent four-year high school graduation rate, one of the worst rates in the nation that year.
The 2010-2011 academic year was the first time all states used uniform standards to measure the number of students who graduated.
Martinez also announced Thursday a new "warning system" proposal aimed at helping potential high school drop outs.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.