Education Week Ranked Florida’s Graduation Rate 44th In The Nation With A 63.9 Percent Graduation Rate -- Well Below The National Average Of 71.7 Percent. “Education Week released its annual ‘Diplomas Count’ report, showing while Florida has substantially improved its high school graduation rate over the last decade or so, it remains below the national average. The group ranked Florida 44th in the nation with a 63.9 percent graduation rate -- well below the national average of 71.7 percent. And for some subgroups, it was worse, with a little more than half -- 53.9 percent -- of black students earning a degree in 2008.” [Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 6/11/11]