Social Promotion in the LAUSD

* Re “Schools Still Promoting Most Poor Performers,” Nov. 30: As an eighth-grade teacher in the LAUSD, I spent most of the last school year preparing for the “end of social promotion.” In September we were told that any student receiving a grade lower than C in English and algebra and a score of 1 or 2 on the performance assignment for those subjects would be retained. As the school year progressed, the standards students had to meet in order to be promoted changed too many times to count.

At every meeting of our English department we were given new information on what that standard would be. In the end, students were retained if they received a fail in English and a 1 on the performance assignment. If the student managed a grade of D and a score of 1 or a grade of F and a score of 2, he or she passed. If anything is to blame for the promotion of unprepared students, it is certainly not teachers’ low expectations, as suggested by an unnamed district official in your article. I would suggest that the district look at its constantly changing policies and the low standards ultimately set for promotion.

ARLENE BENITEZ

Teacher, Irving Middle School

Los Angeles

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On Nov. 29 The Times reported Genethia Hayes’ comments that the Belmont Learning Complex will never open and no new schools will be built downtown. On Nov. 30, the education story was that despite the “end” of social promotion, nearly all students are still promoted. The connection between lack of space and schools being forced to continue with social promotion is quite clear. As any LAUSD teacher (myself included) can tell you, the schools are bursting at the seams, and a “move ‘em in, move ‘em out” mentality prevails by necessity. We must build more schools now!

TODD ENGLE

Los Angeles

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It’s a shame your story detailing the social promotion of students in the bottom fifth percentile wasn’t published before the vote on school vouchers. Perhaps those who screamed “no accountability standards for private schools” should take a good look in a mirror.

MICHAEL BALDRIDGE

Glendale