NEW 8TH GRADE PROMOTION POLICY

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT - Per the NYC Department of Education:

Starting in the 2008-09 school year, eighth-graders will be promoted to high school by

• Scoring at Level 2 (basic) or above on both the Math and ELA assessments
• AND passing all core academic subjects (ELA, math, social studies, science)

If a student does not meet the requirements during the school year, the student may
• Appeal a promotion decision based on a standardized rubric
• Attend summer school and retake tests or failed courses

Yes, you read correctly. The DOE will hold town hall meetings in all five boroughs on its proposed 8th grade promotion policy. Members of the public can also submit comments via e-mail to promotion@schools.nyc.gov. The schedule for each hearing is as follows:

6:00 p.m. - Doors open. Speaker signup begins.
6:30 p.m. - Hearing begins with presentation of the proposal.
6:45 p.m. - Public comment. Speakers will be called in the order in which they signed up. Each speaker will have three minutes to make a comment or ask a question. Questions should be short enough to allow for an answer within the three minute allotment. The time limit will be strictly enforced so that as many people as possible have a chance to speak.
8:30 p.m. - Hearing concludes.

If you are concerned about this, then please attend one of the meetings below and let your voice be heard. The dates and locations of the town hall meetings are below:

Brooklyn
When: Tuesday, March 4
Where: Brooklyn Technical High School (29 Fort Greene Pl.)

Manhattan
When: Tuesday, February 26
Where: High School of Fashion Industries (225 W. 24th St.)

Queens
When: Thursday, March 6
Where: Hillcrest High School (160-05 Highland Ave.)


Staten Island
When: Thursday, February 28
Where: Michael J. Petrides High School (715 Ocean Terrace)
Bronx
When: Tuesday, March 11
Where: Evander Childs HS (800 E. Gun Hill Rd.)