NM House Passes Bill To End Failed Policy Of Social Promotion In

Bipartisan Vote
Republicans Highlight President Bill Clintons Call To End Social Promotion
Santa Fe, NM Legislation that would end the failed policy
of social promotion cleared the House floor today by a bipartisan vote of 38-30.
Social promotion passes kids onto the next grade even when they cannot read. On
the House floor, Rep. Monica Youngblood pointed out that Presidents Bill Clinton and
Barack Obama both favor ending social promotion.
Improving our schools and helping struggling students learn continues to be one of
our top priorities, said Rep. Youngblood, a sponsor of the bill. Today, we took a
huge step in the right direction to improve our schools.
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 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
bipartisan margins at various times.
"I hope the State Senate listens to the people of New Mexico and brings this bill to a
vote," said Rep. Espinoza, a sponsor of the bill. "The people have spoken, and they
want to put our students first.
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