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Throughout our country the move toward higher academic standards has caused schools to reexamine many of the commonly accepted practices that have become part of the American educational landscape for the past 35 years. No past practice has come under greater attack nor has become so universally questioned than social promotion.
From coast-to-coast school reformers, political leaders and proponents of higher standards are calling for an end to what they believe has been one of the major contributors to poor achievement in our schools today.
But if we put an end to social promotion, how can we address the facts that students learn at different rates? Do we want students retained year after year if they do not pass standardized tests? Do we really want 16 year olds in 8th grade?
This video provides the viewer with several alternatives to social promotion and retention. It shares the thinking of internationally renowned lecturer and best-selling author, Dr. William Glasser, who offers an alternative to social promotion based on quality instruction.
We will visit with Dr. Waldemar Rojas, Superintendent of the San Francisco Unified School District, and his staff to examine how they have built quality alternative programs with a diverse student population.
Viewer will be able to:
- Articulate past and current thinking on social promotion
- Explain why it is important for schools to address student social and emotional as well as academic needs
- Describe Glasser’s six barriers to student learning and success and how to overcome them
- Judge whether or not to pursue further study of Glasser’s tenets on Quality Schools and Choice Theory
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