RALEIGH, N.C. — According to the 2002-03 Dropout Data Report released Thursday, North Carolina's high school dropout rate is down for the fourth year in a row.

Statewide, about one in 20 high school students drops out. Locally, the rates in Wake and Cumberland counties are below the state rate. Durham and Orange counties are above.

Vance County is above the state rate too, but there is good news. They are down almost 2 percent. Last year, the system was No. 1 in the state.