Graduation rates in the state of Georgia rose two points over those of 2009, putting them at an all-time high of 80.8 percent, according to the office of the governor.

The Dawson County school system stayed steady this year at 84.8 percent, according to Superintendent Keith Porter.

“We know the bar is going to jump to 85 percent next year for [adequate yearly progress], so we’ll be working toward that goal,” Porter said.

Under the federal No Child Left Behind, adequate yearly progress — or AYP — is the minimum level of improvement schools must achieve each year.

Graduation rates, statewide, have improved by 17 percent since 2003.

“There is nothing greater we can do for a young Georgian than encourage them to stay in school,” stated Gov. Sonny Perdue in a news release.

“We did something no other state had even thought of — put a graduation coach in every middle and high school and focus their efforts on student at risk of dropping out.”

Porter said the system’s graduation coaches “have done an excellent job in tracking kids at risk of dropping out and assisting them throughout their scholastic careers.”

Added Porter: “We feel like our teachers are working extremely hard to meet the individual needs of our students.”

According to the office of the governor, in 2003, 65,213 students received high school diplomas in Georgia. Last year, 91,561 students graduated with a high school diploma.