Thirty-two students in Prince George's County's schools did not graduate this year solely because they failed to pass state-required High School Assessments — down drastically from 2,750 students at risk of not graduating in December.

School officials were pleased with the low number, down from 500 in late May, though they said they did not want any students to be kept from graduation. This is the first year students were required to pass the algebra, biology, government and English exams; earn a composite score of 1,602 on all four tests; or complete projects to show they had learned the material to receive diplomas.

School board chairwoman Verjeana M. Jacobs said the results showed Prince George's students were capable of meeting graduation requirements.

"Some honestly just believed our students couldn't do it, and I believe they have demonstrated that they can," Jacobs said.

Schools Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. told the school board of the results at the board meeting June 25 and said in an interview after the meeting that those students can graduate during the summer if they complete their requirements.

The figure only includes students who failed to graduate solely because of the test and does not include students who failed to graduate for failing courses.

Hite applauded students' achievements at a principals meeting Monday.

"That's phenomenal work that has happened across all of our high schools, and for that, I am grateful," he said.

According to statistics presented to the school board in December, 80 percent of the seniors who took the government exam passed, 72 percent passed algebra, 65 percent passed biology and 75 percent passed English.

The statistics led the school board to lead a public information campaign to encourage students to sit for the exams because officials said students who took the exams generally did well. School officials also sent letters to parents and had meetings with parents of students who were in danger of not graduating due to the testing requirements.

The school system this year also asked county police to step up truancy enforcement during the tests to ensure students were in school taking the exams.

Staff Writer Marcus Moore contributed to this report.