"No one left behind"?

Question

Here in California, the district my kids attend have a policy that I just dont agree with at all! They refer to it as "No one left befind" meaning reguardless of how poorly a student does or how little effort they put forth, they will NOT hold any student in a grade a second year... not even when requested by the parents. Does this sound like a bad idea to anyone besides myself??

Answer 1

It is called social promotion. I teach middle school. I am in favor of holding back students k-3 if they fall behind, but once they reach middle school I don't think it is helpful. It may just may make them hate school even more with the stigma of being kept behind without their friends. It can be effective in the early grades when students are not that sensitive to being held back, but as they progress through the grades the law of diminishing returns comes into play. I am more in favor of summer school and private tutoring. Of course, there are exceptions to everything. One of my seventh grade students was told by his father that if his grades didn't improve he would request for him to repeat the grade. He did improve and moved on. For older students the threat of being held back can be used to motivate them, but if they stay behind it can also crush their spirits and cause them to give up.

Answer 2

This sounds like the most ridculous policy anyone can come up with! If a child is struggling with school work, how would s/he know it if the teacher passes him/her?? That's like showing up to work late, not doing your job, and getting a raise and promotion! I've been in the California school district far too long to agree with any of their policies, but this is the craziest.

Answer 3

Here in Texas you can ask for your child to stay in the same grade if they aren't ready for the next grade.I think the teachers should request for a student be kept back.It is not going to help the student if they put them in a higher grade in fact it will harm them in the long run.I am with you on this it should be stop .

Answer 4

But then, when a child does not acquire enough skills for the next grade level, moving on would just hurt them. I think that "no child left behind" policy means that no child would be left uneducated.

Answer 5

Of course