Star investigation: Schools promote students despite widespread failure

PART 1: Social promotion widespread in Tucson-area schools
Nine in 10 students were promoted last year, but grades reveal nearly one-third failed basic subjects.

David Compo, left, raises his hand to get Bob Aguilar's attention at Valencia Middle School. Aguilar is the teacher for the in-house suspension program at the middle school. "I think we've gotten to a point where we've buried ourselves in students who can't function on grade level," he said. Photo by Jill Torrance/Arizona Daily Star

 STORIES
» 1 in 3 flunked core courses, but 90% advanced
» 'I wanted to move on with my friends'
» English learners a small part of overall failures
» The Star analyzed millions of records
» Grades in Amphi, state tests don't jibe
» Glossary of terms

MULTIMEDIA
» Struggling to catch up  
» Saturday School at Hohokam Middle School 
» Students advance despite failing grades 
» Prevalence of social promotion in Tucson 
» U.S. social promotion study 
» TUSD student intervention chart 
» TUSD's old promotion policy 
» Amphi school map 
» Bruce Burke  
» Eva Carrillo Dong 
» John Pedicone  
» Kent Barrabee 

eEDITION
» Project day one in print 

PART 2: Grades in many districts often inflated
Even students who are passing courses may not deserve those grades, tests show.

Eric Smith, right, an eighth-grader at Sahuarita Middle School, struggles with Study Island, a computer program designed as a study aid for math, while teacher Bill Wildish tries to help him. The class targets students who are struggling to help them improve their state test scores. Photo by Jill Torrance/Arizona Daily Star

 STORIES
» Grade inflation adds to woes
» Schools try ways to keep kids on course
» Ditching class has become his habit
» Teacher makes it his mission to put halt to social promotion

MULTIMEDIA
» Struggling to catch up  
» Saturday School at Hohokam Middle School 
» Students advance despite failing grades 
» Middle school grade inflation, 2006-07 
» Prevalence of social promotion in Tucson 
» U.S. social promotion study 
» TUSD student intervention chart 
» TUSD's old promotion policy 

eEDITION
» Project day two in print 

PART 3: Finding solutions for a regional, economic problem
The remedies aren't easy, but something must be done, educators, politicians and business leaders say.

Alessandra Carrillo, the receptionist at Las Artes, graduated from the school last July and has been working for the school even since. She is saving money to later attend college. Las Artes offers their students classroom study and community art projects while they prepare for their GED. Photo by Jill Torrance/Arizona Daily Star

 STORIES
» Early intervention strategies can help students
» Businesses see skilled grads as critical to future
» Summer program helped her move to high school, but she still struggles
» Star reporters answer readers' questions

MULTIMEDIA
» Struggling to catch up  
» Saturday School at Hohokam Middle School 
» Students advance despite failing grades 
» Middle school grade inflation, 2006-07 
» Prevalence of social promotion in Tucson 
» U.S. social promotion study 
» TUSD student intervention chart 
» TUSD's old promotion policy 

eEDITION
» Project day three in print 

MORE
The people behind the series, published May 11-13, 2008


THE PROJECT TEAM
Jack Gillum is a business reporter and database specialist. His work has been honored by the Society of American Business Editors and Writers and the Arizona Press Club.
jgillum@azstarnet.com		 Andrea Rivera is an education reporter covering the Amphitheater, Flowing Wells and Marana districts. She recently won a media award from the Arizona School Boards Association.
arivera@azstarnet.com
George B. Sánchez was an education reporter who covered the Tucson Unified School District for nearly a year and a half. His honors include the 2006 Tom Renner Award for Outstanding Crime Reporting from Investigative Reporters and Editors. He left the Star in early July to cover the Los Angeles Unified School District for the L.A. Daily News. Jamar Younger is an education reporter covering the Vail, Sahuarita, Catalina Foothills and Tanque Verde school districts.
jyounger@azstarnet.com

OTHER CONTRIBUTORS
Videos on azstarnet.com by Sarah Mauet; copy editing by James Maish, Peter Sibley, Mark Stewart and Kerry McVeigh; page design by Mike Rice; graphics by Kori Rumore; photography by Jill Torrance; online programming and Web design by Jack Gillum and Rob Wisner; editing by L. Anne Newell and Tiffany Kjos; project leadership by Newell.

© 2008 Arizona Daily Star. All rights reserved. CONTINUING COVERAGE
» Officials to scrutinize Amphi on records denial
» Senate OKs AIMS graduation bill
» Grades in Amphi, state tests don't jibe
» Bruce Burke  
» Eva Carrillo Dong 
» John Pedicone  
» Kent Barrabee 

OPINION
» Schools must hold students accountable
» Amphi must share info parents, taxpayers need
» Letters to the editor about the series

ONLINE CHAT TRANSCRIPT
» Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne discusses social promotion

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