The latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Heartland

Tuesday, January 22, 2013  The nation's high school graduation rate is the highest since 1976, but more than a fifth of students are still failing to get their diploma in four years, reveals an Education Department study.

Friday, March 09, 2012  Dropout rates for Southeast Iowa districts varied for last year.

Monday, January 23, 2012  Monday's Facebook Story of The Day is about high school dropout rates across The Heartland

Monday, May 16, 2011  Our Facebook story of the day.

Friday, February 18, 2011  Ottumwa saw its graduation rate increase from 74% to 82% last year.

Monday, October 11, 2010  The federal government spent $1.5 billion and states spent $1.4 billion on grants for students who didn't start their sophomore years.

Thursday, April 08, 2010  Ottumwa has a number of programs that are focused on helping keep kids in school.

Wednesday, April 07, 2010  Ottumwa's school district has the highest dropout rate in Iowa, something district officials say they are trying to fix.

Monday, March 29, 2010  Officials with the Des Moines Public Schools say their efforts to bring dropouts back to school appear to be showing success.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009  A special Missouri House task force will be looking into ways to lower the state's high school dropout rate.

Monday, April 20, 2009  Missouri education leaders are joining a national effort to reduce the high school dropout rate.