LUFKIN, TX (KTRE) -
According to a report, the national high
school on time graduation rate is at its highest level since 1976.
The state level, 78.9
percent, is down from previous years but still above the national average of
78.2 percent.
Lufkin is even exceeding
those numbers with an estimated 85 percent graduation rate.
Some of it has to do with
the need to have an education in this economy, but Lufkin Superintendent Roy Knight
believes it has to do with the school's atmosphere.
Superintendent Knight
"just as important are individual schools efforts to help the kids remain
in high school and see the long term benefit."
At Lufkin high school, it
all starts and ends with the teachers.
"Our teachers work
harder at offering them the tools they need to succeed," said Principal
Mark Smith.
Over the last two school
years the tools they have offered has put 100 percent of their graduates in
college, trade school or the military.
It is ultimately the
students' responsibility and they students know how important graduating on
time is.
"If you want to
graduate in four years, and you don't it could mess up future plans and hold
you back from doing what you want to do," said senior Don'etrick Houston.
"I have an older
sister and I saw how she flourished in college and how it is very necessary to
go to college and be successful," said Haley Squires.
"Personally, to become
a doctor it is a long process and there are a lot of years, so finishing my
high school is my goal," said Raid Ready.
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