A new report says Nevada has lost ground when it comes to high school dropouts.
The report released Tuesday by America's Promise Alliance says the number of high schools in Nevada deemed "dropout factories" rose from eight in 2002 to 34 in 2008. During that time, it says the state's graduation rate fell from 72 percent to 51 percent.
The term dropout factory refers to schools where fewer than 60 percent of students graduate.
Nationally, the number of dropout factory schools fell by 13 percent.
The report cites Nevada's rapid growth during those years, as well as a soaring percentage in the number of English language learners, a "stressed and undiversified economic system," and a strong labor market for unskilled workers for the decline.