The San Diego school board approved a policy Tuesday night that will force hundreds of students to repeat the eighth grade. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has the details.
Beginning this school year, eighth graders who fail two or more classes will not be allowed to go on to high school. District officials say the measure will make more students academically prepared to tackle high school level work. Trustee Shiela Jackson spoke out against the measure.
Shiela Jackson : It’s not addressing it at a teacher’s level or the principal’s level or the counselor’s level. Because it is not on the backs of these students. And you can’t sit here and tell me that.
After a two-hour debate, Jackson was on the losing end of four to one vote. The policy is expected to affect approximately 1,000 students. However, parents of failing eight graders will have the option to send their child to a “transitional ninth grade” program. So far district officials have not said what kind of classes that program would offer. Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.
