Graduation rates for students enrolled in special education are on the rise as fewer kids with disabilities drop out of school.

From 2009 to 2010, there was a 2 percent increase in the number of students with disabilities across the country who left school with a diploma, according to the 2012 Disability Statistics Compendium, released late last month.

The annual report from the University of New Hampshire synthesizes government data to paint a picture of the experiences of Americans with disabilities in education, health care, employment and other key areas by the numbers.

Researchers found that over 250,000 special education students earned a diploma in 2009-2010. At the same time, nearly 60,000 left school with a certificate of completion.

During the same period, the dropout rate for those with disabilities declined by 1.4 percent. Nonetheless, more than 84,000 dropped out of school.

Nationally, nearly 5.7 million students ages 6 to 21 were enrolled in special education in the fall of 2010, the report found.

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