Teachers

Teachers in New York state know social promotion when they see it. More than two-thirds of the state's elementary school teachers have been pressured to promote students who were not ready academically to move to the next grade, a recent survey found.

The New York State United Teachers' survey also found that the educators overwhelmingly supported the concept of a statewide core curriculum and an assessment requirement for student promotion.

"Anyone who has looked into the face of a youngster who has trouble filling out a job application or making the correct change should realize that not mastering basic skills is far more damaging to one's self-esteem than being promoted without having achieved these skills," Antonia Cortese, NYSUT's first vice president, said in presenting the report at the 360,000-member...