nprEd

The official graduation numbers that Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel touted through his first term and his re-election campaign have been revised. Phil Velasquez/Chicago Tribune/Getty Images hide caption

The U.S. high school graduation rate was 81 percent in 2013, the most recent year in which federal data are available. LA Johnson/NPR hide caption

Brandon Lewis, a junior at Miami's Dr. Michael M. Krop High School, passed Algebra I, but has struggled with the end-of-course exam in that subject. LA Johnson/NPR hide caption

When it came time to apply to high school, 19-year-old Keihen Kitchen of Cleveland wasn't interested in the city's offerings. She found success at a rigorous, science-based school and now attends community college. Amy Hansen/IdeaStream hide caption

Deyri Rabadan is a senior at Coliseum College Prep Academy in Oakland. She struggled with the state's high school exit exam, but plans to go to college this fall. LA Johnson/NPR hide caption

Delonna Jones, 10, is a third-grader at Ketcham Elementary School in Washington, D.C. LA Johnson/NPR hide caption

Brothers Roy (left) and Dude Rabedeau attend Earl Boyles Elementary in Portland. LA Johnson/NPR hide caption

Two years after dropping out, Elizabeth Carter is on track to graduate. LA Johnson/NPR hide caption

Without Birmingham's Dropout Recovery Program, James Hanks says, he'd likely be "sitting at home doing nothing, or in the streets getting into trouble." LA Johnson/NPR hide caption

After eighth grade, Jaye McCurtain told her mom she wanted to be homeschooled. LA Johnson/NPR hide caption

Kevin Mahone hopes to use extra credit and after-school work to meet the requirements for graduation. LA Johnson/NPR hide caption

Korey Thomas just graduated from Henry County High, near Atlanta. Three years ago, though, he was failing his classes. LA Johnson/NPR hide caption