NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Data released by the Tennessee Department of Education shows a statewide increase in the high school graduation rate and improvement in assessment tests taken by elementary and middle school students.

The figures released Thursday show the graduation rate for the class of 2012 increased from 85.5% to 87.2% and that elementary and middle school students grew in 23 out of 24 Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program measures last year.

Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman says he's pleased with the improvements, but there's still a lot of work to be done.

For instance, he said many school districts did not successfully narrow achievement gaps, and there were declines among particular student subgroups.

Huffman says one gap he plans to focus on closing this year is the one between students with disabilities and the students who are in special education, and their peers.

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