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WILMINGTON — New Hanover County's dropout rate fell below the state average for the first time in years.

That is one reason Gov. Bev Perdue met with school leaders Thursday to get a closer look at their drop out prevention strategy. Just below 300 students dropped out last year compared to 385 the year before.

School officials said they changed their philosophy by being proactive with identifying at-risk students, along with developing an elective credit diploma and adding graduation coaches.

"Now what our challenge is, is to make sure that's just not a blip that it's a trend that we want to continue downward. We think because our principals are taking a hard look at this and understanding this is a priority that we think it will continue," said New Hanover County Schools Assistant Superintendent Dr. Rick Holiday.

Governor Bev Perdue commented that every student with a good education is a step toward helping turn the economy around.