Pass or Fail: Effective Retention Polices – The Chicago Case

pass or fail

In this multi-part series, I provide a dissection of the phenomenon of retention and social promotion. Also, I describe the many different methods that would improve student instruction in classrooms and eliminate the need for retention and social promotion if combined effectively. While reading this series, periodically ask yourself this question: Why are educators, parents and the American public complicit in a practice that does demonstrable harm to children and the competitive future of the country? The goal of retention policies is to ensure that students who move to the next level of learning have mastered the required knowledge and skills. The accompanying exemptions …

Pass or Fail: Did you Know that State Policies Impact Retention Rates?

pass or fail

In this multi-part series, I provide a dissection of the phenomenon of retention and social promotion. Also, I describe the many different methods that would improve student instruction in classrooms and eliminate the need for retention and social promotion if combined effectively. While reading this series, periodically ask yourself this question: Why are educators, parents and the American public complicit in a practice that does demonstrable harm to children and the competitive future of the country? The state you live in determines retention policy and procedures. Do you think state level mandates are a fair and appropriate way of addressing the challenges we face …

Pass or Fail: Retention and its Roots in Early American Public Education

early American public schools

In this multi-part series, I provide a dissection of the phenomenon of retention and social promotion. Also, I describe the many different methods that would improve student instruction in classrooms and eliminate the need for retention and social promotion if combined effectively. While reading this series, periodically ask yourself this question: Why are educators, parents and the American public complicit in a practice that does demonstrable harm to children and the competitive future of the country? Today’s practice of retaining students is a far cry from what took place in America’s earliest public school classrooms.  Before assessing the American education …

Pass or Fail: Goals of the U.S. Education System- Then & Now

pass or fail

In this multi-part series, I provide a dissection of the phenomenon of retention and social promotion. Also, I describe the many different methods that would improve student instruction in classrooms and eliminate the need for retention and social promotion if combined effectively. While reading this series, periodically ask yourself this question: Why are educators, parents and the American public complicit in a practice that does demonstrable harm to children and the competitive future of the country? In all our perceived infinite knowledge and resources, is it possible the Founding Fathers had it right, in terms of education objectives? Thomas Jefferson, like James Wilson, also …

Pass or Fail: The Evolution of American Public Schools in the 20th Century

evolution of public schools

In this multi-part series, I provide a dissection of the phenomenon of retention and social promotion. Also, I describe the many different methods that would improve student instruction in classrooms and eliminate the need for retention and social promotion if combined effectively. While reading this series, periodically ask yourself this question: Why are educators, parents and the American public complicit in a practice that does demonstrable harm to children and the competitive future of the country? How did we go from one-room schoolhouses to hyper-segmented classrooms? In the 19th century, one-room schools were the norm. Some evidence does support the …

Pass or Fail: Implementing Early Literacy Interventions

pass or fail

In this multi-part series, I provide a dissection of the phenomenon of retention and social promotion. Also, I describe the many different methods that would improve student instruction in classrooms and eliminate the need for retention and social promotion if combined effectively. While reading this series, periodically ask yourself this question: Why are educators, parents and the American public complicit in a practice that does demonstrable harm to children and the competitive future of the country? What type of interventions would you want provided to your child if they were struggling with early literacy? Based on the state you live in, various early interventions …

Pass or Fail: Too Much Focus Placed on Early Literacy?

In this multi-part series, I provide a dissection of the phenomenon of retention and social promotion. Also, I describe the many different methods that would improve student instruction in classrooms and eliminate the need for retention and social promotion if combined effectively. While reading this series, periodically ask yourself this question: Why are educators, parents and the American public complicit in a practice that does demonstrable harm to children and the competitive future of the country? What fundamental skill do you think is the most important for students in elementary grades to master? If you said reading, the state of Colorado agrees with you. …

Pass or Fail: Standardized Testing and Education Problems in the U.S.

pass or fail

In this multi-part series, I provide a dissection of the phenomenon of retention and social promotion. Also, I describe the many different methods that would improve student instruction in classrooms and eliminate the need for retention and social promotion if combined effectively. While reading this series, periodically ask yourself this question: Why are educators, parents and the American public complicit in a practice that does demonstrable harm to children and the competitive future of the country? How much do you think education laws and policies impact our educators? Are students receiving the very best instruction when such a great emphasis is placed on standardized …

Pass or Fail: The History of Social Promotion in the American Education System

social promotion in schools

In this multi-part series, I provide a dissection of the phenomenon of retention and social promotion. Also, I describe the many different methods that would improve student instruction in classrooms and eliminate the need for retention and social promotion if combined effectively. While reading this series, periodically ask yourself this question: Why are educators, parents and the American public complicit in a practice that does demonstrable harm to children and the competitive future of the country? Where did social promotion start? Why did the practice begin and should it even be applicable to education today? Social promotion has been attributed to …

Pass or Fail: Social Promotion in Schools – How We Got Here

social promotion

In this multi-part series, I provide a dissection of the phenomenon of retention and social promotion. Also, I describe the many different methods that would improve student instruction in classrooms and eliminate the need for retention and social promotion if combined effectively. While reading this series, periodically ask yourself this question: Why are educators, parents and the American public complicit in a practice that does demonstrable harm to children and the competitive future of the country? Does social promotion really help students, or is it an easy way out for educators? Social promotion is the practice of promoting a child …