The full New Mexico House of Representatives is set to consider legislation that would end the social promotion of third-graders who are not proficient readers.
The bill advanced last week following a 7-6 party-line vote in the House Education Committee. It could be debated on the House floor as soon as Monday.
The bill by Rep. Monica Youngblood of Albuquerque calls for retaining third-graders who are not reading proficiently and giving them intensive remediation.
The legislation is backed by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez. Her plan to end social promotion faces opposition from Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, who says student retention should be based on teachers' assessments, not test scores.
Opponents also say retaining students damages them psychologically and intervention can be done without retention.
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