Indiana’s Class of 2011 continued the steady progress the state has been making in raising its high school graduation rate. The 85.7 percent rate was the highest since the rate was changed in 2005 to more accurately measure completion.

Allen County school districts contributed to the progress, each posting graduation rates exceeding the state average.

It’s good news, but it didn’t happen overnight. By the time most students graduate, they’ve spent 13 years in school. The diploma they receive at the finish line represents not only their own work but the guidance of parents, teachers, administrators, staff and others who helped them along the way. The improving graduation rate is the culmination of years of hard work to ensure Indiana students will graduate and be prepared for work, college or military service.

Fort Wayne Community Schools officials, pleased by a districtwide graduation rate of 88.1 percent, point to the results of the Freshman Initiative, which focused on laying the groundwork for last year’s seniors when they started ninth grade. Students were assigned to core classes with a core group of teachers, allowing the instructors to share information about individual students and allowing students to build relationships with teachers and classmates.

East Allen County Schools also recorded an 88.1 percent rate. Northwest Allen County Schools’ rate was 95.5 percent and Southwest Allen County Schools’ rate was 92.5 percent. Adams Central Community Schools, where 82 students out of the 85 in the four-year cohort finished on time, had the highest rate among public districts in northeast Indiana – 96.5 percent.

Across the state, schools are recognizing the critical transitions in a student’s learning experience. With or without full state funding, most are offering full-day kindergarten. A growing body of research points to the value of early learning.

Schools also are focusing on reading skills before third grade, mindful of data that show students who aren’t reading at grade-level by that time are at great risk of never catching up. New emphasis also is being placed on the critical middle-school years, ensuring students have the academic and emotional preparation for high school.

Tony Bennett, superintendent of public instruction, has been a harsh critic of teachers and administrators in his three years in office, so it was refreshing to hear words of praise from him.

“In today’s world, graduating from high school with a meaningful diploma is critical to achieving any measure of success in life,” he said in a news release. “To see so many more high school students reach this essential milestone is inspiring, and I am thankful for the hard-working teachers and leaders in our schools who helped them get there.”

The results are inspiring. They also are worth ensuring that efforts to achieve them aren’t hampered by the sweeping changes approved in the last legislative session. Just as it took years for efforts to improve graduation rates to bear fruit, it will take time to determine how school vouchers, charter school expansion and other measures play out in public education.

In the meantime, educators frustrated by ever-growing demands should take heart from the state’s latest graduation rates. They represent a job done well from start to finish.