Do or Die for New York City Third-Graders
With New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposing to pass third-graders solely on the bases of standardized English and math test scores, professor of education and law Jay Heubert commented, "The problem is for most people, that means holding more kids back. President Clinton wanted to end social promotion.
With New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposing to pass third-graders solely on the bases of standardized English and math test scores, professor of education and law Jay Heubert commented, "The problem is for most people, that means holding more kids back. President Clinton wanted to end social promotion. Al Gore wanted to end social promotion. President Bush does--they all do," he said.
There is strong advocacy across the country for ending social promotion; however, while Bloomberg supporters say the mayor wants students to do better in a system that should be held accountable for their academic outcomes, critics argue that parents and kids will undergo test trauma.
The article, entitled "N.Y. Mayor Makes Test Sole Factor to Advance Students," appeared in the February 22 edition of the Los Angeles Times.
Published Sunday, Mar. 14, 2004