The drop-out rate for the Los Angeles Unified School District declined by 17 percent overall during the 2007-08 academic year. However, more than 12,000 African-American and Latino students failed to graduate, making up the majority of the total number of drop-outs in the district.

OPINION: An overwhelming number of second generation immigrants are trapped under a low glass ceiling. We can either raise the roof, or bring it down on them, and take cover as California falls apart.