Middle School Principals In Des Moines Creating Expectations For Grade Promotion.

The AP (10/19) reports that "middle school principals in Des Moines are developing a proposal that would create a list of expectations middle school students need to meet so they can advance to the next grade." Currently, students are advanced "to the next grade no matter their academic performance." The proposed expectations are aimed at reducing dropouts and increasing graduation rates. Des Moines Education Association President Melissa Spencer said that "the effort to enact a policy started about two years when teachers noticed more ninth-graders were struggling with high school because they weren't prepared." The proposed policy includes expectations for "standardized test scores, class grades, attendance and class progress." If a student does not meet the requirements, "a grade placement committee...will determine if [he or she] can be promoted."