According to a Department of Public Instruction press release, North Carolina’s graduation rates increased and test scores decreased last year.   We do not know why the graduation rate and pass rate are going in separate directions. One possible explanation is that the weak job market encouraged academically weak students to stay in school and earn a high school diploma, thereby pulling test scores down and graduation rates up.

Remember that the Republicans passed their budget AFTER students took their tests, so they cannot be blamed or credited for these results.