Researching High School Graduation Rates

Hey there, I'm curious about education trends and I was wondering if anyone has info on which state has the highest number of high school diploma holders. I suppose it would correlate to population, but I'm also interested in the percentage of the population that holds a diploma. Any pointers on finding this data?

Sure, I'd suggest starting your search with the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), which is a federal entity that collects and analyzes data related to education in the U.S., including high school graduation rates.

You could find two pieces of important data from there: the number of diploma holders and the percentage of diploma holders in relation to the population. These metrics should allow for comparison between states and will account for population size. The NCES is usually fairly up-to-date and accurate, providing quite comprehensive data. Another source that may be helpful is the U.S. Census Bureau. They survey educational attainment in the United States, providing statistics on the number and percentage of the population that has a high school diploma.

Please note that various elements can affect graduation rates. Public vs private schools, socioeconomic factors, and education initiatives may all have an impact. So, while it's interesting to examine the raw data, it's also insightful to consider the context in which these rates exist.

Just remember to be careful with observing correlation and causation. It's a common mistake when analyzing this kind of data. An apparent connection does not mean one statistic necessarily causes the other. It's generally useful to analyze several factors when considering the reasons for trends in high school graduation rates.