The city’s Panel for Education Policy passed a measure on March 17 that effectively abolishes eighth grade “social promotion” in schools.The PEP — whose approval is required for Department of Education mandates — passed the measure with an 11-1 vote.
“For too long, eighth graders have simply been passed along to high school, even if they were far below grade level and at risk of dropping out,” Schools Chancellor Joel Klein said in a statement after the vote. “Tonight’s vote will help ensure that these students will enter high school ready to succeed.”
Under the new policy, most eighth graders must pass all four core academic subjects, including their math and English Language Arts assessments, social studies and science. Students will also have to score a Level 2 or above on their math and ELA tests.
Students who fail to meet the new requirements will be able to retake failed tests or courses at summer school. Failing that, they will be obliged to repeat the eighth grade. In a small number of cases, students may appeal such decisions.
Standards can differ slightly for English learners, special education students and students who have been held back before.
The move has drawn vociferous criticism from some groups and parents who feel that children may be unduly punished for the failures of their respective middle schools.
At a meeting before the vote on March 20, critics shouted in protest, prompting Klein to clear the room twice before eventually cancelling the meeting, according to press reports.
Indeed, it is unclear what the new policy means for students and parents in under-performing school districts like 27 — which comprises Woodhaven, Ozone Park, Howard Beach, Far Rockaway and parts of Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park and Kew Gardens.
According to the DOE’s school grading system — whereby schools are given letter grades for performance — more than half the schools in District 27 scored a C or lower. Of the district’s 16 middle schools (including K-8 schools), nine of them received a C or lower.
“Nobody wants to see kids who aren’t qualified to move on move on,” said David Quintana, former District 27 representative for the Chancellor’s Parent Advisory Council. “But all they’re doing is leaving (these kids) behind.”
Quintana also accused the DOE of holding back potential drop-outs to make high school graduation rates look “rosy and sweet.”
Andrew Jacob, a spokesman for the DOE, cited statistics showing that eighth graders who pass all their courses are more than twice as likely to graduate high school than those who don’t.
“Fundamentally, it does a disservice to students to move them along before they’re ready,” he said. “It sets them up for failure.”
Jacob also cited additional measures that would help children pass, including new, periodic assessments for early problem detection, and a middle school improvement plan, currently in the works for next year.
Queens still did not have a borough representative on the panel when the vote was taken, as it has not for the last five months. The task of appointing a representative falls to Borough President Helen Marshall.
Under the new policy, most eighth graders must pass all four core academic subjects, including their math and English Language Arts assessments, social studies and science. Students will also have to score a Level 2 or above on their math and ELA tests.
Students who fail to meet the new requirements will be able to retake failed tests or courses at summer school. Failing that, they will be obliged to repeat the eighth grade. In a small number of cases, students may appeal such decisions.
Standards can differ slightly for English learners, special education students and students who have been held back before.
The move has drawn vociferous criticism from some groups and parents who feel that children may be unduly punished for the failures of their respective middle schools.
At a meeting before the vote on March 20, critics shouted in protest, prompting Klein to clear the room twice before eventually cancelling the meeting, according to press reports.
Indeed, it is unclear what the new policy means for students and parents in under-performing school districts like 27 — which comprises Woodhaven, Ozone Park, Howard Beach, Far Rockaway and parts of Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park and Kew Gardens.
According to the DOE’s school grading system — whereby schools are given letter grades for performance — more than half the schools in District 27 scored a C or lower. Of the district’s 16 middle schools (including K-8 schools), nine of them received a C or lower.
“Nobody wants to see kids who aren’t qualified to move on move on,” said David Quintana, former District 27 representative for the Chancellor’s Parent Advisory Council. “But all they’re doing is leaving (these kids) behind.”
Quintana also accused the DOE of holding back potential drop-outs to make high school graduation rates look “rosy and sweet.”
Andrew Jacob, a spokesman for the DOE, cited statistics showing that eighth graders who pass all their courses are more than twice as likely to graduate high school than those who don’t.
“Fundamentally, it does a disservice to students to move them along before they’re ready,” he said. “It sets them up for failure.”
Jacob also cited additional measures that would help children pass, including new, periodic assessments for early problem detection, and a middle school improvement plan, currently in the works for next year.
Queens still did not have a borough representative on the panel when the vote was taken, as it has not for the last five months. The task of appointing a representative falls to Borough President Helen Marshall.
