N.Y.C. to Retain Low-Scoring 5th Graders

City Leaders Extend Program Based on Results With 3rd Graders

New York City school leaders, who only months ago withstood intense criticism for holding back 3rd graders who failed city tests, have announced that the program was so successful they plan to expand it to 5th grade.

Like the 3rd grade program, the plan would retain any 5th grader who scored at the lowest of four levels on the city reading or mathematics tests administered each spring. Those children could be promoted either by doing better on the tests after attending summer school, or through a review of their classwork that showed their skills were sufficient for promotion.

Announcing the plan on Sept. 9, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg pledged $20 million for programs to spot struggling 5th graders early and to provide help such as tutoring before and after school and on weekends. Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein said leaders chose 5th grade for the expansion because students need strong skills for the important...