HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut officials say that the statewide high school graduation rate has hit a record high of 87.2 percent.

Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said Monday the rising graduation rate is a testament to the hard work of teachers, principals, superintendents and parents.

Officials say increased graduation rates for black and Hispanic students have outpaced the average statewide graduation rate.

The data from 2015 shows that the graduation rate for black students reached 78.1 percent, up 6.9 points since 2011, and 74.8 percent for Hispanic students, up 10.6 points since 2011.

The national average is 82.3 percent.