Every year, "Diplomas Count" takes a careful look at nationwide trends related to high graduation. This year, they have titled their report "Graduation by the Numbers--Putting Data to Work for Student Success." This year's research shows that today's graduation climate is a tough one, particularly for minority students and those growing up in about two dozen hardscrabble communities where the odds seem stacked against graduating. This special issue of "Education Week" includes the following articles: (1) Data in Action (Dakarai I. Aarons); (2) Guiding Students on Nontraditional Paths (Dakarai I. Aarons); (3) District Targets Dropout Figures (Lesli A. Maxwell); (4) Coaching For Success (Mary Ann Zehr); (5) From Analysis to Action (Stephen Sawchuck); (6) Progress to Postponed (Christopher B. Swanson); (7) Graduation in the United States; (8) Graduation-Rates Charts; (9) Pinpointing District Performance (Christopher B. Swanson); (10) Graduation Policies For the Class of 2010; and (11) Sources and Notes: (A) How Does the EPE Research Center Calculate Graduation Rates?