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Tens of thousands of Tucson-area students failed basic classes during the past six years. But almost all were promoted to the next grade, an Arizona Daily Star investigation has found.

The ramifications of this practice — referred to as social promotion — reach far beyond area classrooms, with business leaders and others worrying it will create an unskilled, uneducated and unappealing workforce, and lead to long-term economic problems for the region.

The investigation also uncovered evidence of widespread grade inflation, meaning even more local students may not be earning the grades they receive.

The Star’s three-day package on these issues begins Sunday and includes a searchable database of the schools examined and videos of students caught up in the issues. The project will conclude with a live chat featuring Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne.