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

GRAPHIC

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.