Bronx Mother Wants 11-Year-Old Son To Repeat Fifth Grade, Opposes 'Social Promotion'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- An 11-year-old Bronx boy is about to start sixth grade even though his mother says he's not ready.
Rose Colon tells the Daily News that her son, Cristian, is struggling to read and couldn't handle the work in fifth grade. She wants him to be held back.
New York City requires schools to hold back students who do not hit a minimum level on the state exams. Exceptions are allowed for special needs students like Cristian.
Colon said Public School 108 failed to provide special education services that could have brought Cristian's performance up to grade. She said he "is being socially promoted for their convenience."
A spokeswoman for the city Department of Education said the department would work with Colon to find an appropriate program for Cristian.
What do you think of social promotion? Sound off in our comments section below…
(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
