No Graduation in the UK?

[potioncat]

 "Steve" <bboyminn at ...> wrote:
 
> 
> In the USA, the way it is /suppose/ to be, is that the state
> sets educational standards that are reflected in local community
> grade schools, junior high schools, and high school. To pass to 
> the next grade level, your performance has to be up to certain
> standards, but these standards are verified by the school, not
> by standardized tests. 

Potioncat:
That may depend on the state. In VA students have to take SOLs (Standards of Learning)from grade school on. From 8th grade up, the SOLs determine whether the student can take the next level course. You wouldn't fail a whole grade, but may need to take a course over. You have to pass a certain number of SOLs in each topic (math, science, history, English) in order to graduate with a high school diploma. 

Students in VA can fail a whole year, even at the middle school or high school level (7th--12th grade)

Students with special needs are able to continue in school until 21, I think.