La. has second-lowest graduation rate for public special education students

Louisiana has the second-lowest public high school graduation rate in the nation for special education students, according to federal figures.

The rate in Louisiana, 29 percent, is only lower than Mississippi and Nevada, statistics compiled by the U.S. Department of Education show. The graduation rate in both those states is 23 percent.

South Dakota is tops in the nation at 84 percent, federal figures show. The national average is 58 percent.

Louisiana’s dismal 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.

Under current rules the state allocates special education dollars to local school districts based on the number of students classified that way regardless of disability. Under White’s plan, state aid would be allocated based on three factors — the type of disability, what setting is used to educate the student and how the student fares in the classroom.

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

White said 12 other states use similar approaches.

The superintendent outlined his proposal to the Special Education Advisory Panel, a 17-member panel of parents, educators and others that advises the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

White is expected to discuss the issue again on Thursday at 9 a.m. when he appears before the Superintendents Advisory Council, an influential panel of local school leaders from around the state.

Special education funding changes could also be a key topic next month when BESE approves its annual funding request to the Legislature, which includes state aid for special education students.

Louisiana’s public special education population totals about 82,000 students. The state spends about $313 million per year on their education.

The U.S. Department of Education graduation figures cover a four-year period that ended with the 2010-11 school year.

The state’s overall high school graduation rate is 71 percent. That rate trails every state except Alaska, Georgia, Nevada, New Mexico and Oregon and is tied with Florida.

Idaho, Oklahoma and Kentucky are not listed.

Michael Faulk, president of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents, said while he wants to know more details of White’s plan, it has already sparked concerns among some special education directors. “We are waiting to hear a full explanation,” Faulk said in an interview on Monday.

He said one concern is whether dividing state aid based on disabilities could cause concerns about discrimination.

“There are a lot of dynamics,” said Faulk, who is superintendent of the Central school system. “It is something that we would really have to look at.”

Holly Boffy, a member of BESE and co-chairwoman of the Special Education Advisory Panel, said White’s presentation on Friday sparked varied reactions.

“My takeaway is that they felt very comfortable and even excited about the concept,” said Boffy, who lives in Youngsville.

“But there were concerns about how do you actually do this,’’ she said.

Comments

1) Comment by Noel Hammatt - 13/02/2013

As FactChecker pointed out, there are indeed problems with this, well, I almost hate to call it reporting. At any rate, some points of information from the National Center for Education Statistics might be worth investigating. Black-Non-Hispanic Drop out rates were roughly twice that of Whites during the period of 1972-2009. Low income student were more than 3 times as likely to drop out as middle class and wealthy students. Guess which states have the largest number of Black-Non-hispanic and low income students? Yep, Mississippi and Louisiana.

2) Comment by Mygulfbleedsforu - 13/02/2013

Is the $313 million for all grades K - 12 or just the high school grades? Anyone know?

3) Comment by Preppy6917 - 13/02/2013

Fortunately, according to Rep. Charles Boustany, "...we have the best quality of life in the country. With great food like gumbo and étouffee, zydeco music, festivals year round and beautiful weather, Louisiana is a wonderful place to live." So, obviously, this is a red herring. Nothing to see here.

4) Comment by foldgers - 13/02/2013

First, a big thank you to Mississippi, you are always there to make us not look the worst. Second, doing the math, it looks like 71% of these children do NOT graduate from HIGH SCHOOL? Continuing the math, that mean of the $313 million we spend a YEAR on these kids, $222 MILLION is basically wasted? Hmm. Great. Wonderful! Glad to know my taxes are being put to good use!

5) Comment by FactChecker - 13/02/2013

The Special Education Advisory Panel voted to not move forward with the concepts proposed by Superintendent White. Why Mr. Sentell refuses to indicate this in either article he's written suggests he only prints what the Administration approves. Perhaps he is on the payroll of the Walton Foundation and Gates Foundation too. Add to the spin Holly Boffy reaching the conclusion that the parents on the sp.ed. panel were 'comfortable and excited' about what has been proposed only adds to the attempt to distort facts in the court of public opinion. Unfortunately the 'real plan' has been kept from view while attempting to create the perception of approval by parents on a sketchy and contradictory description. It is expected that Stand for Children and BAEO will line up in support of the plan - since they are also bought and paid to advocate in support of the Walton's and Gate's plans. There are problems with the way dollars are being moved around due to an imbalance in distributions of students with disabilities across schools and school systems in our new world of competitive academics where schools are encouraged to recruit high performing (low cost) students.

6) Comment by spqr - 13/02/2013

I agree, Morellok2. Give special ed to RSDs and charter schools. No wait. Their scores are already the lowest in the state. Never mind.

7) Comment by teacherguy - 12/02/2013

I agree something needs to be done about special education in LA. Far too often, students who could "graduate" are railroaded into a high school completion certificate (sacrificing that high school diploma before they ever even touch a high school campus)...but they have also mainstreamed the SPED students into regular ed classes. Some SPED's are welcomed there by Regular teachers IF they can read and write at acceptable levels...but far too often, these kids are in over their heads trying to keep up with all of the college bound preparation students with teachers that expected to NOT be teaching to the needs of SPEDs. I like the idea of setting up a special ed school in each district that would take the focus off of college preparation and putting them into vocational preparation instead (like they do with many "at risk" students - The Options Program)...but that would assume these SPEDs are "different" and should be segregated from the herd. I'm sure there are lawsuits for that! I have to agree with White on this one...believe it or not...the expenses for some students are greater than others, and the funding should be adjusted that way. I must be honest...I could support charters/voucher schools, too, if they were graded the same way as the public schools where they are taking kids from...but that is a different argument completely...

8) Comment by Mygulfbleedsforu - 12/02/2013

I think Louisiana comes in as the third lowest state, but has the second lowest rate (in rates, there is 23 and there is 29). What is wrong is saying that Louisiana is only lower than those two states. In fact, Louisiana is *higher than* those two states.

9) Comment by Bouncer - 12/02/2013

I think what Sentell means is that since Nevada and Mississippi are tied for last place (at 23 percent each), then Louisiana comes in second place with 29 percent. However, your point is well taken. Third from the bottom is third from the bottom, even if being there constitutes being in second place.

10) Comment by Bighug - 12/02/2013

by will Sentell Capitol News Bureau February 12, 2013 "Louisiana has the second lowest public high school graduation rate in the nation for special education students, according to federal figures. The rate in Louisiana, 29 percent, is only lower than Mississippi and Nevada, statistics compiled by the U.S. Department of Education show. The graduation rate in both those states is 23 percent." Very funny, Will! You say Louisiana is second lowest, then name two states that are lower. Wouldn't that make Louisiana the third lowest? I'll just assume you have a Louisiana education, or are just making a joke.

11) Comment by morellok2 - 12/02/2013

Article fails to mention that Louisiana is also tied with Florida (another bastion of education "reform") for 5th lowest place in graduation rate overall. Maybe that plaes a role in special ed graduation rate also. If charters are as wonderful as White says why not turn all specail ed over to a charter and see how they do???