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From the Chalkboard: Holding students accountable
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Anonymous user Fri May 25, 2007 14:02:00 PDT
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0 responses 0 comments It was quite a shock when I read in the newspaper that the Kern High School District had adopted a new policy to prohibit freshmen students from moving to their sophomore year without passing certain core subjects in their curriculum.
What a concept! Holding students accountable for passing their classes. The Kern High School District should be applauded for addressing social promotion policies that have been the norm for as long as I can remember. This is sure to revive the retention/social promotion debate as many students will now be required to re-take classes they did not pass in order to move forward.
Social promotion is a practice that generally determines student class placement based on age rather than successful completion of minimum grade standards. Social promotion has been the order of the day in nearly every school in the country in spite of the fact that many students leave school each year unprepared for the job market or other measures of success.
In addition to grade-level restrictions on retention, students are many times promoted because principals — not teachers — make the final decisions for retaining students or promoting them to the next grade. Some “experts” believe that retention actually hurts children by injuring their self-esteem and stunting their emotional growth.
As retention practices have declined over the years, the gap in the academic level of students has been increasing. With the addition of standards-based education and high-stakes testing, calls for an end to social promotions are emerging once again. Social promotion, in many cases, leaves students at a distinct disadvantage. Without the mastery of basic skills, students will continue to fall further and further behind until they either drop out or complete high school without the necessary skills and knowledge to be a contributing member of society.
There are exceptions of course, but in my 40 years as an educator as both teacher and administrator, retention is a tremendous boost for children both in terms of future academic success and self-esteem. One must ask, is it better to move a failing or immature student on so his feelings are not hurt, but where continued failure is certain, or retain the child so he has an extra year to mature, gain basic skills and keep up with his peers. Having retained both of my children and now one grandchild, I can tell you the correct answer is retention. In all my years in education, I cannot cite a single instance where retention did not help the child in every way. Retention should take place at the lowest level, preferably in kindergarten or first grade. But it is never too late.
Parents whose freshman students are not meeting academic standards by failing in their classes should be grateful that Kern High School District is attempting to increase their chances for success by holding students accountable for their education. Parents can be allies by being involved. Be sure your child attends school each day. Check their homework and visit with teachers. Let your child know that education is important if they want to make something of themselves. The more you are involved with your child’s education, the more you will know what he is learning. It seems to me the KHSD is right in expecting students to be accountable. Hopefully, everyone will come to understand their wisdom.

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