(RALEIGH) -- This year, North Carolina saw its highest graduation rates ever reported, with both four-year and five-year graduation rates currently at 77.7 percent. State Superintendent of Public Instruction June Atkinson said that graduation rates for subgroups have increased as well, including African-Americans.

"Our African-American student graduation rate this year was 71.3 percent.  In 2005-06 that graduation rate for our African-American students was 60.4 percent," said Atkinson.

She added that the graduation rate for economically disadvantaged students also improved, from 55.6 percent in 2005 to 71 percent this year.