DOVER, Del. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Education says Delaware’s special education services are doing so poorly that the state needs intervention.

The department said Tuesday that Delaware, with California, Texas and the District of Columbia, received the ranking based on the gap between regular and special-needs students on state proficiency measures and scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

The department also said Maryland is among the states that no longer meet federal requirements for special education and was ranked “needs assistance.”

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.