DPI helped to raise the graduation rate?

Democratic State Superintendent of Public Instruction June Atkinson addressed the Joint Education Appropriations Subcommittees this morning. She claimed,

Another fair question is how can DPI, show we have made a positive impact on public education. In 5 years, our graduation rate has gone from about 68 percent to 74.2, the highest it has ever been. DPI contributed to that growth.

If you are a public school teacher or administrator in North Carolina, tell me what you think about Dr. Atkinson’s “common sense” claim. How did DPI contribute to your district’s graduate rate increase/decrease?