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- Promotion In Doubt
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Last year, the New York City Department of Education raised the standards for passing the 8th grade and ended social promotion--the practice of letting failing students matriculate to keep them with their peers. Radio Rookie AJ Frazier has always just skated by, so this meant he needed to change his ways. AJ reports on how the higher standards impact his work ethic and explores the shady line between getting promoted or being left behind.
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Piece Description
Last year, the New York City Department of Education raised the standards for passing the 8th grade and ended social promotion--the practice of letting failing students matriculate to keep them with their peers. Radio Rookie AJ Frazier has always just skated by, so this meant he needed to change his ways. AJ reports on how the higher standards impact his work ethic and explores the shady line between getting promoted or being left behind.
Broadcast History
WNYC - October 6, 2009 (Morning Edition)
Transcript
HOST INTRO: For decades school administrators have been debating whether students who don't meet basic standards should move up to the next grade. It's known as social promotion—and the New York City schools have done away with it twice over three decades, only to reinstate it. Now the Bloomberg administration is ending social promotion once again. But Rookie Reporter Amon "AJ" Frazier found the new standards are more flexible than they seem.
(alarm clock)
AJ: 7 o'clock already?
NARRATION: My room is my sanctuary...my happy place, my world...no one telling me to do anything.
AJ: Gotta get up and go to school.
NARRATION: And anybody who disobeys these rules will be repelled, immediately.
AALIYAH: (crying)
(door opening)
NARRATION: But my door is a portal to the real world.
AJ: Oh, what's wrong Aaliyah?
AALIYAH: (crying) I can't find my shoe!
NARRATION: I have my little sister c...
Read the full transcript
Additional Credits
Kaari Pitkin, Senior Producer
Sanda Htyte, Associate Producer
Marianne McCune, Editor
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