Ga. OKs Social-Promotion Ban As Texas Revisits Its Own

By Bess Keller

The movement to end social promotion got a boost last week from the Georgia legislature. And it seemed to be holding its own in Texas, where an effort to slow down new promotion requirements lost potentially crucial support from state leaders.

Under a bill approved on March 21 by Georgia legislators in the final hours of their session, students in grades 3, 5, and 8 would have to pass state tests to step up to the next grade, beginning with 3rd graders in 2004. Children who enter 3rd grade in 2003 would be required to pass a state reading test, while those who start 5th grade in 2004 and 8th grade in 2005 would need to pass state reading and mathematics tests.

Students who failed would get extra help and take the tests again, under the measure, which has been a legislative priority of Gov. Roy E. Barnes, a Democrat. Those who failed a second time would be held back unless a three-member committee—usually, one of the the child's parents, his or her teacher, and the...