ATLANTA — Georgia has recorded its highest high school graduation rate since calculation methods were adjusted in 2011.

The state’s current graduation rate stands at 88.5%, with State School Superintendent Richard Woods hoping Georgia will reach his goal of a 90% graduation rate next year.

Woods credits several factors for the increase, including a decline in the number of students who are chronically absent from school.

“We’ve seen declines in our chronic absenteeism rates which were a high of 23% down to 17%,” Woods said.

Woods says providing students with additional pathways to graduation, including technical options, has also contributed to the increase.

He also credited teachers and school district staff for the state’s upward graduation trend.

“We’re at a good trend right now and looking forward to seeing where our teachers and district staff end up performing at the end of the school year,” Woods said.