BOSTON -- More 10th-graders than ever before met the state's graduation requirement by passing the 2007 MCAS exams, but an achievement gap between white and minority students persists, according to statewide results released Wednesday.

Statewide, 87 percent of students in the class of 2009 passed both exams last spring, up from 84 percent in 2006. In 2001, the first year that high stakes were attached to 10th-grade assessment tests, 68 percent of the class of 2003 passed both tests on their first try.

The biggest gains were seen in students in grades 3 to 8, where the percent of students scoring proficient or advanced in math rose between 5 and 8 percentage points. In grades 4 to 7, the percent of students scoring at the top two levels in English increased by between 3 and 6 percentage points.

"This is encouraging news, and I am delighted to see improvement across the board. It is a testament to the diligence of our students and the hard work of our teachers and administrators. But let’s not lose sight of the fact that while kids with disabilities and limited English proficiency, and minority kids, are improving, the achievement gap persists. We have work to do there," Gov. Deval Patrick said.

Statewide results showed an increase in the percentage of students of all ethnicities who earned their competency determination on their first try, but an achievement gap was still evident. Ninety-one percent of white students passed both exams on their first try, as did 73 percent of Black students, 90 percent of Asian students and 67 percent of Hispanic students.

Among students in elementary and middle schools, progress was evident in the increase of students of all ethnicities who scored proficient or advanced on both exams.

In English, black students jumped 6 percentage points in grades 4 and 7, 5 percentage points in grade 5 and 4 percentage points in grades 6 and 8.

In math, black students jumped 6 percentage points in grades 3 and 7, 5 percentage points in grade 4, 7 percentage points in grade 5, and 8 percentage points in grade 6.

Hispanic students saw similar gains in the percentage of students who scored proficient or advanced.

On the English exam, Hispanic students jumped 4 percentage points in grade 4, 5 percentage points in grades 5 and 6, and 6 percentage points in grade 7.

In math, Hispanic students saw a gain of 8 percentage points in grade 3, 6 in grades 4 and 5, and 7 percentage points in grade 6.

"We face no greater challenge in education today than in determining how to close racial achievement gaps," Nellhaus said. "This challenge is not unique to Massachusetts. It is a national problem with no simple solution. The state, along with school and district leaders, must work together to ensure that students of all ethnicities in every community are given the tools, attention and guidance they need to succeed," acting Education Commissioner Jeffrey Nellhaus said.