New York, NY —
The city's high school graduation rate has improved, but state education officials say it's still not good enough. Half of the city's high schoolers graduated in 4 years in 2006, up from 44% in 2004.
REPORTER: New York Education Commissioner Richard Mills says he's glad the rate improved, but that the number is still unacceptable. Schools Chancellor Joel Klein agrees, but says he's satisfied that students graduate at all.
KLEIN: As long as it takes, I'd rather see a kid get a diploma and I admire these kids who stick around for a 5th and 6th year to get a diploma. But in end, the most important thing is for a kid to have a meaningful high school diploma that builds a future.
REPORTER: Klein says the city's graduation rates are higher because August grads are counted and because it does not include Special Ed graduation rates, which the state does.