Eight Graders Who Fail Will Be Held Back In The San Diego Schools
The San Diego schools is the largest school district in the state. Last year, almost 13 percent of its eighth graders failed two or more core subjects of English, mathematics, history and/or science. This does not include those who received Ds. They were all grades of F.
The San Diego schools is cracking down. Beginning with the current eight grade classes within the San Diego schools, these students will be subject to a new policy recently passed by the San Diego schools board with a vote of four-to-one. A new retention policy puts forth that any eight grader who fails (grade of F) two or more core subjects will be held back to repeat the eight grade. If the parents of such San Diego schools students object, then those children will be passed on to high school but must actively participate in a ninth grade intervention program.
There was much heated discussion about retention versus social promotion (passing San Diego schools students on to the next grade, when they are not prepared) before the vote was taken. The one dissenting vote was by San Diego schools board trustee Shelia Jackson, who...