Cobb County Tops Grad Rates

A new study shows Cobb County has one of the highest graduation rates among the nation's 50 largest public school districts. According to the "Diplomas Count" report released by Editorial Projects in Education on Tuesday, the 100,000-student suburban Atlanta school district graduated 68 percent in 2006. That's far above the state average of 55.9 percent and just trailing the national average of 69.2 percent. The annual study looked at the change in graduation rates from 1996 to 2006. Georgia's rate improved less than a percentage point in that time, compared to the national average's improvement of nearly three percentage points from 66.4 percent.

(Associated Press)

Former Mexico President Speaks At Emory Graduation

Former Mexican President Vicente Fox is set to speak at graduation ceremonies of Emory University this morning in Atlanta. He will also receive an honorary doctor-of-laws degree from the university. Fox was elected president of Mexico in 2000. Following the end of his term in 2006, he founded Centro Fox—a presidential library and museum modeled loosely on the humanitarian work of former U.S. president Jimmy Carter. Fox also became president of Coca-Cola Mexico.

Embattled district to graduate seniors

The embattled Clayton County school district is set to graduate 2,700 students this weekend in Atlanta. The ceremonies come at a time with the district is poised to lose its accreditation. If that occurs, future graduating classes may face difficulty getting scholarships and acceptance to colleges. The district has until September 1 to make the reforms mandated by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

School superintendent touts test scores

A majority of Georgia students are passing the state's graduation test. State Schools Superintendent Kathy Cox says about 90% of those taking the new Georgia High School Graduation Tests – or GHSGT – scored at basic proficiency or above. Cox says that's great news considering the GHSGT is the in process of becoming more difficult so that students are held to a higher academic standard. Students must pass it to graduation high school.