In this June 18, 2014, file photo, High School graduates stand and sing during graduation ceremonies in Santa Ana Bowl. The nation&amp;#x2019;s high school graduation rate has ticked up slightly to 82 percent, a new high. The Education Department said Tuesday that the rate for the 2013-14 school year &amp;#x2014; up from 81 percent the previous year &amp;#x2014; was the highest since it started using a new, uniform measure in 2010. Still, the numbers show nearly 1 in 5 students leaving high school without a diploma. Photo: AP Photo/The Orange County Register, Mark Felix, File 

 / ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER