The Vanishing Class


LAST OF FOUR PARTS
Failing Students Spell Profit for Some Schools
By Joel Rubin and Nancy Cleeland
One couple built a lucrative business using state funding to provide dropouts with classes that could — but often don't — lead to diplomas.
• L.A. Trying Out Some New Ideas
• San Jose Throws Students a Lifeline
The Vanishing Class
Blanca Garibay, 18, an Options for Youth student, sometimes takes son Andy to the learning center. (Genaro Molina / LAT)
The Vanishing Class
PART THREE OF FOUR
'It's Like You’re Climbing Everest'
By Erika Hayasaki
Eleven boys thought they’d leave high school as they entered it — together — on graduation day. They were wrong.
Photos  PHOTOS
Video  VIDEO
Audio  AUDIO
Discussion  DISCUSSION
The Vanishing Class
PART TWO OF FOUR
A Formula for Failure in L.A. Schools
By Duke Helfand
Because they can't pass algebra, thousands of students are denied diplomas. Many try again and again — but still get Fs.
PhotosPHOTOS
Take the TestALGEBRA  TEST
GraphicGRAPHIC
DiscussionDISCUSSION
The Vanishing Class
PART ONE OF FOUR
Back to Basics: Why Does High School Fail So Many?
By Mitchell Landsberg
Shockingly high dropout rates portend a bleak future for youths who fall by the wayside and for society. For many, the traditional U.S. education system is a dead end.
PhotosPHOTOS
VideoVIDEO
GraphicGRAPHIC
DiscussionDISCUSSION


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March 2, 2006

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February 16, 2006

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Share Your Thoughts
Times reporters Nancy Cleeland, Erika Hayasaki, Duke Helfand, Mitchell Landsberg, Jean Merl and Joel Rubin, and series editor Beth Shuster invite you to pose questions, offer insights and share your experiences.

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About This Series
Students drastically limit their prospects by dropping out of high school. To understand why so many do, six Times reporters and two photographers spent eight months studying Birmingham High School in Van Nuys.

Part One: Why does high school fail so many?

Part Two: Algebra — a formula for failure.

Part Three: Fast friends — 11 started; three finished.

Last of Four Parts: The dropout industry.