Graduation rate up slightly in Alaska

Less than half Alaska public schools made "adequate yearly progress" last year under the federal education law.

The state education department says 236 of Alaska's 507 public schools met all their targets during the 2011-2012 school term. That's up slightly from the prior year but still 46.5 percent.

The department says there are up to 40 targets for each school, for things like graduation and attendance rates and percentage of student proficient in certain areas. Schools must meet all targets to make "adequate yearly progress."

It cites positives, saying 71 Alaska schools that didn't meet targets in 2010-2011 met them last year, and eight others that once struggled made adequate yearly progress for two straight years.

The statewide graduation rate rose from 68 percent to 69.39 percent last year.