NASHVILLE (AP) - The high school graduation rate in Tennessee has increased to 88.5 percent.

The Tennessean (http://tnne.ws/2es5iUT) reports that the state's high school graduation rate increased by nearly 1 percent this year compared to last year.

According to data released by the state on Tuesday, nearly 60 percent of districts saw their graduation rates increase or stay the same.

Overall, the statewide graduation rate has increased 3 percentage points since the state began calculating graduation rates more rigorously in 2011.

Education commissioner Candice McQueen says that now that graduation rates are increasing, the state must ensure that students are leaving high school with the skills they'll need to be successful in college and the workforce.