WTNH News Channel 8 / News / 1999

	Hartford Considers End to Social Promotion in Schools (Hartford-WTNH) _ The Hartford school system is getting an overhaul when it comes to passing students to the next grade that shouldn't pass. The state Board of Education says Hartford students will need to get a passing grade to get promoted. The policy, up for a vote tonight, would try to save the 80% of Hartford students at risk of failing. The project costs $20 million. It would require students to attend extended classes and Saturday classes, also classes over the summer and during school vacations. News Channel 8's Jayne Saffer went to schools to find out what students think. Hartford students must make the grade before they can move to the next. The idea to end social promotion is something students say is overdue. Ashly McCall, 8th grader: "I think if you keep passing students to the next grade and they are not at that level its hurting them more than anyone else." Keyuana Muhammed, 8th Grader: "If it was me I would be sad but I know it brought down my own wrath. It would be my own fault." Some educators believe as many as 8 in 10 Hartford students are not prepared to compete in the working world by graduation. But students I talked to wonder whether summer, afterschool and Saturday programs will work. Mark Phillips, 8th Grader: "I want to see how kids will react because are they going to have the discipline to know." But some educators say if schools try to end social promotion but don't have the programs in place far too many children are retained. Newly appointed school superintendent Tony Amato helped end social promotion in New York City. Tony Amato, Superintendent: "With proper intervention programs in place we were amazed at just how many student did reach the bar." Rosemarie Miskavitch, Teacher: "I think it will work I think its long overdue and I'm looking forward to seeing rewards within a short time." In addition to students and teachers being part of the solutions, parents also play a role in making sure their kids are ready for the next grade. Susan Kelley, Hartford: "We need to provide an environment for our children to do our homework and make school work a priority." Amato says he plans to jump on the proposal right away. He wants to have a program in place by April vacation for kids in danger of failing. That means some kids will spend their vacation going to school. Today's News Page. WTNH Home Page. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT A LIN station.

Hartford Considers End to Social Promotion in Schools
(Hartford-WTNH) _ The Hartford school system is getting an overhaul when it comes to passing students to the next grade that shouldn't pass. The state Board of Education says Hartford students will need to get a passing grade to get promoted. The policy, up for a vote tonight, would try to save the 80% of Hartford students at risk of failing. The project costs $20 million. It would require students to attend extended classes and Saturday classes, also classes over the summer and during school vacations.
News Channel 8's Jayne Saffer went to schools to find out what students think.

Hartford students must make the grade before they can move to the next. The idea to end social promotion is something students say is overdue.

Ashly McCall, 8th grader: "I think if you keep passing students to the next grade and they are not at that level its hurting them more than anyone else."

Keyuana Muhammed, 8th Grader: "If it was me I would be sad but I know it brought down my own wrath. It would be my own fault."

Some educators believe as many as 8 in 10 Hartford students are not prepared to compete in the working world by graduation. But students I talked to wonder whether summer, afterschool and Saturday programs will work.

Mark Phillips, 8th Grader: "I want to see how kids will react because are they going to have the discipline to know."

But some educators say if schools try to end social promotion but don't have the programs in place far too many children are retained. Newly appointed school superintendent Tony Amato helped end social promotion in New York City.

Tony Amato, Superintendent: "With proper intervention programs in place we were amazed at just how many student did reach the bar."

Rosemarie Miskavitch, Teacher: "I think it will work I think its long overdue and I'm looking forward to seeing rewards within a short time."

In addition to students and teachers being part of the solutions, parents also play a role in making sure their kids are ready for the next grade.

Susan Kelley, Hartford: "We need to provide an environment for our children to do our homework and make school work a priority."

Amato says he plans to jump on the proposal right away. He wants to have a program in place by April vacation for kids in danger of failing. That means some kids will spend their vacation going to school.

Today's News Page.

WTNH Home Page.