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It's that time of year again - high school graduation. But how many students will actually be getting a diploma? Well, numbers are out. The New York State Education Department recently released the graduation rates for students who entered ninth grade in 2007. Graduation statewide is at 74 percent which, according to the New York State School Board Association, is too low.

NYSSBA Timothy Kremer said, "People who come out of these high schools in New York are going to be going out into a world where they are going to be competing with people from all around the world who may have had some very rich educational opportunities."

The number is actually a slight improvement over last year, however the big five city schools, New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Yonkers, still tend to be lower than the state average, which actually isn't too bad in general

Kremer said, "Compared to the rest of the country, our graduation rates are increasing more rapidly than other states."

So, why are nearly a quarter of our students not graduating? Well, it's the ongoing issues - absenteeism, dropout rates - but on the other hand, there are some lesson plans that educators can continue to use to improve all this. One is time.

Kremer said, "Some kids are going to get it in ten minutes and some need ten hours and some need ten months, and we're going to need to use the technology to provide educational services to kids who need extra time."

Another is making sure students are college and career ready before graduation, which also helps in the long run.

Kremer said, "If you are going into college and need a significant amount of remedial education, the chances of you actually graduating from college later on are significantly less."

And with all the talk of technology becoming more and more of a presence these day graduating is as important as ever.

Kremer said, "People have to graduate from high school in order to compete in today's world."

And to make that happen, the Department of Education has stressed the importance implementing the common core standards, improving data systems, and retaining and rewarding effective teachers.