5-9-14 graduation rates

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Graduation rates at Wisconsin's public high schools continue to go up.  The state Department of Public Instruction reports Thursday that the class of 2013 had an 88 percent graduation rate. That is up from 87.5 percent the year before and from 85.7 percent in 2010.  A recent report by the National Center for Education Statistics showed Wisconsin's graduation rate for 2012 to be tied for second highest nationwide. Iowa was tops at 89 percent.  Despite the strong numbers overall, racial disparities persist.  The DPI reports that 92.4 percent of white students graduated, while just 64.8 percent of African American students did and just over 74 percent of Hispanics.