I'm 55 years old and all through my school years 65 or below was F. I think it was the same for my parents as well. The classes in high school were basically three different paths or study levels. College Prep, Basic, and Remedial level. Algebra nor higher math courses were required but two years basic Math was requirred. I took Basic English, Basic History, Remedial Science, Remedial Math if I remember right and Voc/Tech classes.
A fellow classmate and later on a shipmate of mine took about the same level of courses in high school. He dropped out of school in his junior year and enlisted. I didn't see him again till two years later after I graduated and enlisted. I saw him on the ship a week or so after I got there. He now works in a bank and has done good for himself. I did pretty good for myself as a HVAC/Electrical maintenance mechanic.
My point is it's not the grades so much but rather it's what you learn to start with and retain. Teachers want Algebra taught in grade school before fifth grade. The kids can't recite their multiplication tables yet but the morons will teach Algebra to them though.
Some people can ace test and not have a lick of common sense. Others don't fair well in test but have good skills in all other aspects. For those who like myself were obviously not college suitable there again needs to be a way through high school as there was when I was in school. The No Child Left behind and lets put everyone in the same advanced classes is a bunch of garbage. It gets even worse when the funding hungry school systems have the state to pass laws keeping kids in high school till 18 or completion of their senior year.
I'm not saying let them slide I'm saying make better use of their time. My ex-father in law went through the sixth or seventh grade. He was a tractor trailer mechanic for Ryder. I may not be able to do advanced Math formulas but I can do a lot of basic Math in my head with short cuts I've adapted too for functional Math including shopping without a calculator with a limit on spending and hit a $350 limit within $15 or so. I can do all Math required for the several skilled trades I have had in my life.
I was a low C average student most of my school years. I did not hit B honor roll till my senior year and I was only taking English. I was working a 8-5 full time job my senior year and did the English at home after work having a friend turn it in for me. High school needs to be completely split into two different education paths of either College Prep of Trades.
I spent a semester sitting in a university library 5 hours a day while my 13 year old was in classes, as well as numerous hours during other semesters. I’m pretty sure you’d qualify for a degree. My most frequent thoughts were, “pull up you pants,” and “how the heck did you ever get admitted?” The idiocy and stupid conversations I witnessed were epic. It’s no wonder my daughter could go from 7th grade age to college after mostly being home schooled.
Welcome to No Child Left Behind and its idiotic "standards". Each state now has "standards" for each grade level, including algebra and geometry. Of course, all the textbooks had to be rewritten to reflect this crap.
BTW, it's NOT the teachers - this comes from federal and state. Social promotion started, I believe, at the district level. I know that I have personally put in grades then had the Fs changed by administration in the public schools.