Legislation That Ends Failed Policy Of Social Promotion Passes Education Committee

Bill Provides Intervention For Struggling Students To Help Them Catch Up To Their Peers

Santa Fe, NM Legislation that would end the failed policy of social promotion cleared the
House Education Committee today. Social promotion passes kids onto the next grade even when
they cannot read. Among other things, the bill would help teachers identify struggling readers
and provide them with the targeted instruction they need to catch up to their peers. The bill will
now go to the House floor.
Improving our schools and helping struggling students learn continues to be one of our top
priorities. In recent years, we have made some incredible strides in education, with New Mexico
now number one in the nation when it comes to improving graduation rates, said Rep.
Youngblood, a sponsor of the bill. But we still have a lot of work to do. We can start by ending
the failed policy of social promotion that passes our children onto the next grade even when they
are unprepared.
The bill also emphasizes parental involvement. For example, once a struggling reader is
identified, parents are given strategies to help their child improve his or her reading skills.
Studies show that students are four times more likely to drop out if they are unable to read
proficiently by the third grade. One study found that 88 percent of high school dropouts were not
proficient readers in the third grade.
New Mexicans overwhelmingly support ending the failed policy of social promotion. A recent
Albuquerque Journal poll found that 74 percent of New Mexicans want to see it
gone. Previous social promotion bills have passed both chambers by large bi-partisan margins at
various times.
"I look forward to this legislation coming to the House floor," said Rep. Espinoza, a sponsor of
the bill. "The people have spoken, and they want our students to come first."

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