WBRZ - Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE - Federal figures show Louisiana has the second lowest public high school graduation rate in the nation for special education students.

Statistics compiled by the U.S. Department of education show Louisiana's rate at 29 percent, just higher than Mississippi and Nevada, whose graduation rates are tied at 23 percent.

Texas is tops in the nation at 77 percent.

The Advocate reports Louisiana's low rate is one of the key drivers behind state Superintendent of Education John White's push to revamp the way the state finances special education.

Backers say White's proposal would move the state away from a cookie-cutter approach and target aid in a way that improves the special education graduation rate.