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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

Blanca Garibay, 18, an Options for Youth student, sometimes takes son Andy to the learning center. (Genaro Molina / LAT)

PHOTOS

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DISCUSSION

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.

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.

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.

Drop out? Not an option

Dec. 9, 2006

A Day for Second Chances: Isaac Graduates

June 23, 2006

L.A. Mayor Sees Dropout Rate as 'Civil Rights Issue'

March 2, 2006

'We Must Show Every Child the Light'

February 19, 2006

Parents Scarce at Dropout Forum

February 16, 2006

LAUSD GRADUATION TRACKER

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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.

>> JOIN THE DISCUSSION

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.