By Eric Schulzke http://beacon.deseretconnect.com/beacon.gif?cid=165877&pid=110" /> National high school graduation rates topped 80 percent for the first time. Nevada brought up the rear with 69 percent, while Iowa led the way with 89 percent. "The growth has been spurred by such factors as a greater awareness of the dropout problem and efforts by districts, states and the federal government to include graduation rates in accountability measures.