As 22,000 students risk not graduating, LAUSD board eases requirements
The Los Angeles Unified School District board unanimously agreed to ease high school graduation requirements, no longer requiring a C grade or better in college prep classes.
The school board is modifying a commitment made a decade ago to require so-called A-G courses, the classes required to become eligible for University of California and California State University entry, to earn a high school diploma.
The higher standards haven't dramatically improved student outcomes: more than 22,000 LAUSD students in the Class of 2017 risked losing out on a diploma they may have been eligible for in a neighboring district or nearby charter school.
“I am worried we are setting students up for failure because this district hasn’t gotten its act together,” said board member Tamar Galatzan.
At its meeting Tuesday, members agreed students could earn a D rather than C in the college prep courses.
Board members also asked LAUSD Superintendent Ramon Cortines to design interventions, such as online classes to make up credits and expanded summer school, to help students who are struggling with the advanced coursework.
Also pending before the board is a proposal to allow students to remain in school until age 22 to graduate.
This story will be updated.
