Included in Margaret Spellings' new regulations announced in late October for No Child Left Behind is an effort to make all states use the same formula to calculate graduation rates, one that Michigan is already using. Basically, it calculates the rates based on students who graduate on time, in four years.

"This means parents will be able to compare graduation rates in their schools with others across the country. It also means that poor and minority families will have more leverage to get the same quality of education for their children that we provide to others," Spellings said.

FAQs on Michigan's rate…

Recap of Spellings' speech….

Source: MILive, 10.28. 08