For those who are ignorant of social promotion (as I was, before my son
entered Moscow JHS), let me explain: pupils who do not learn the
material (e.g., seventh-grade math) are routinely "promoted" to the next
class.
This not only forces the instructor to review material which the students
already know, but it sends the message that failure is going to be rewarded!
The pupils discover they need not work to learn something, as the
consequences are non-existent. Schools now promote failure.
Bob Probasco rcp@uidaho.edu