EDITORIAL : PASSING THE BUCK SCHOOL DISTRICT BLAMES CHILDREN FOR ITS OWN FAILURE.

A new state report reveals an alarmingly high dropout rate in the Los Angeles Unified School District, with more than one in three students quitting before graduation - a far higher proportion than in other Los Angeles County school districts.

And the problem is getting worse, even though the LAUSD spends more than $10 million a year on dropout prevention programs, which amounts to more than $550 for every one of the district's 17,983 dropouts during the 1994-95 school year.

In response, some Los Angeles school officials appear to be trying to pin the blame on the children by citing the school population's urban nature, the large proportion of students with limited English proficiency, the high number who live at or below the poverty level, and other excuses.

When all is said and done, it adds up to a claim by some officials that they are doing about as well as can be expected with these children.

Well, we don't buy that. This unacceptable performance is the school system's fault, not the fault of the children.

As evidence, look at the contrast in the dropout rates of the LAUSD and other Los Angeles County school districts that have comparable proportions of students with language obstacles and low income.

The LAUSD has a 36.5 percent dropout rate, 28.8 percent of district students have limited English proficiency and 53.6 percent of district students are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals because of their family income.

Now, compare those figures to other districts in the county:

Alhambra City High School District: 9.8 percent dropout rate, with 35.8 percent limited English and 57.8 percent eligible for free or reduced meals.

El Monte Union High School District: 8.7 percent dropout rate, with 28.3 percent limited English and 62.5 percent eligible for free or reduced meals.

Compton Unified School District: 19.7 percent dropout rate, with 23.5 percent limited English and 53.7 percent eligible for free or reduced meals.

Some observers may notice that those comparisons pit the LAUSD against much smaller school districts. That's correct, and perhaps it suggests that dropout prevention is an area in which smaller districts do a better job. We know there are thousands of teachers in the LAUSD who are working hard to help students stay in school.

Perhaps the giant LAUSD is spinning its wheels, and a top-to-bottom overhaul is needed with more effective leadership at the highest levels.

Or perhaps it points to another, entirely different conclusion. If so, we would like to hear it. But let's not blame the youngsters.