FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): The graduation rate is going up for East Allen County Schools.

Last year the district’s graduation rate was nearly 89%, which is even with the state rate and better than 2014’s rate of close to 85%.

Superintendent Kenneth Folks told the Journal Gazette staff diligence is the biggest reason for the turnaround. Efforts range from reaching out to students who had dropped out to having weekly meetings to track students’ progress.

The ultimate goal is to keep the rate moving up, to 90% and beyond.