ST. PAUL — The graduation rate for Minnesota high school students is the highest it’s been in a decade, according to new data released Wednesday by the state Department of Education.

The department said about 79 percent of Minnesota students graduated in 2013, up from 75 percent in 2010. Last year, black and Hispanic students had the biggest year-to-year increase, although they still lag behind white students.

Minnesota Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius said while more work needs to be done, the new graduation rates suggest the state will be able to meet its goal of cutting the achievement gap between white and minority students in half by 2017.