The politics of LA Unified's graduation rate

José Rodríguez's parents never finished the 10th grade, he said, let alone earn a high school diploma. He, on the other hand, plans to attend the University of California at Berkeley next year.

Rodríguez worked hard, and so did his peers, he said. But he also gave credit to the school he attends, STEAM Legacy High School, for getting him ready for college...