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NEW YORK, NY June 26, 2007 —Test scores are up among special education students in New York State, but these students are still performing at the bottom of the class. WNYC's Beth Fertig has more.

Special education students often lag behind their peers because of learning disabilities that aren't swiftly addressed. On the latest achievement tests, about a quarter of special ed students met the state standards for reading in grades 3 to 8. And about two thirds met the standards in math.

These scores are slightly higher than last year. But the state says they're still disturbing. And while more students with disabilities are taking the Regents exams, they're still much less likely to graduate high school. About 38 percent graduate in four years, which is half the statewide average. And fewer than 20 percent in New York City graduate on time.

The Regents are calling for more early intervention services to help these students overcome their reading problems. The city says it's already doing just that. For WNYC I'm Beth Fertig.