social promotion
Passing without mastering
Social promotion is the practice of advancing students to the next grade level regardless of whether they've mastered the material, typically to keep them with their age group.
The policy prioritizes social development and self-esteem over academic readiness: Critics argue that social promotion sets kids up for failure.
The alternative—holding students back—is called retention.
Moving by or temporary
- retentionContinued holding or possession
- progressionSequential forward movement
- matriculationFormal university admission process
- readinessState of being prepared
standards · curriculum · achievement · pedagogy · assessment · accountability · proficiency · benchmarking
Forward movement or promotion
- ladderPortable climbing frame
- progressionSequential forward movement
- mobilityCapacity for movement
- upwardToward a higher position
elevation · rise · climb · networking · mentorship · ambition · achievement · opportunity
Formal argument on issues
- criticismJudgment of faults
- backlashStrong negative reaction
- dilemmaForced choice between undesirables
- meritocracyAdvancement through demonstrated ability
underachievement · stakeholders · pass-fail · fairness · equity · standards · inclusion · remediation
passing
Moving by or temporary
- retentionContinued holding or possession
- progressionSequential forward movement
- matriculationFormal university admission process
readiness · standards · curriculum · achievement · pedagogy · assessment · accountability · proficiency · benchmarking · competency
advancement
Forward movement or promotion
- ladderPortable climbing frame
- progressionSequential forward movement
- mobilityCapacity for movement
upward · elevation · rise · climb · networking · mentorship · ambition · achievement · opportunity · favoritism
debate
Formal argument on issues
- criticismJudgment of faults
- backlashStrong negative reaction
- dilemmaForced choice between undesirables
meritocracy · underachievement · stakeholders · pass-fail · fairness · equity · standards · inclusion · remediation · intervention
- School Debatesschool choice, school funding, school reform, curriculum reform, standardized testing
- educational failuresdropout, illiteracy, innumeracy, failing grades, dropout rates
- school termsfreshman, sophomore, junior, senior, homework
- school grade placementstudent placement, grade level, placement test, held back