Dropout rates fell, but presenting the data as a percentage change of a percentage is a bad way of reporting the data since the number of students in the system may have changed because of demographics.
14.7% to 11.4% is a pretty solid change in two years, and it was progressive (13.1% inbetween). I wouldn't expect demographics to impact much in two years.
The improved / stabilized economy may have had a big impact however.
The improved / stabilized economy may have had a big impact however.