Sugary drinks flunk out.

Don't be surprised if cola, grape soda, and sweetened iced tea don't show up for school, this fall. Under an agreement with health advocates, the top three soft-drink makers in the U.S. [CocaCola, PepsiCo, and Cadbury Schweppes) will remove these and other sugary beverages from vending machines and school cafeterias. The agreement, which covers public, private, and parochial schools, was prompted by the growing threat of lawsuits and state legislation against soft-drink makers. The plan calls for elementary school students to be served only bottled water, low-fat and nonfat milk, and 100 percent fruit juices, in 8-ounce servings, increasing to 10 ounces in middle school. In high school low-calorie sports drinks, juice drinks, and diet soda would be permitted, in servings up to 12 ounces. Nutritionists and parent groups have pressured schools and the beverage industry for some time to restrict soft-drink sales. Critics of the agreement say that it wilt be hard to enforce and that it does not address the issue of beverage company advertising in schools. Some states, including California and Connecticut, had already banned soft-drink sates in schools.