Chancellor Carmen Farina says New York City's school system will de-emphasize the importance of standardized test scores in deciding which students must repeat a grade, undoing a key policy begun under former Mayor Bloomberg.
Farina said Wednesday that starting this year, teachers and principals will make promotion decisions based on a range of factors including test scores and classroom work.
Ten years ago, Bloomberg changed the rules and made test scores the only factor in determining whether a student advanced to the next grade. At the time, he said the change was in the name of ending what was known as "social promotion," which is when students are promoted along with their peers, regardless of whether they are ready.
The policy change must be approved by the Panel for Educational Policy at its May 29 meeting.
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The teachers' and principals' unions praised the policy change.
United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew said changing the promotion policy is "just common sense."
Council of School Supervisors and Administrators President Ernest Logan said the change means children will be treated "more humanely."
The new policy affects students in grades 3 through 8.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
