Eyewitness News Education reporter Art McFarland has more.
The mayor's message to the eighth graders' family was very clear.
"They are going to succeed in high schools and in this competitive world," said Mayor Bloomberg. "They need to know the basics before they get there."
The eighth grade is now joining third, fifth and seventh grade as an absolute stopping point for students not making the grade for promotion.
NYC School Chancellor, Joel Klein outlined the potential numbers of students could be affected.
"There are approximately 16,000 students who have not passing scores for core courses," said NYC School Chancellor, Joel Klein, "They will have opportunity of summer courses and appeals."
"Those cases should be handled individual basis," said parent Florence Simeon.
Chancellor Joel Klein says starting this fall sixth graders who may be on the road to failure will be identified and will receive help.
There will be town hall meetings in each borough on the proposed eighth grade promotion policy.
The Department of Education (DOE) will hold town hall meetings in all five boroughs on its proposed 8th grade promotion policy. Members of the public can also submit comments via e-mail to promotion@schools.nyc.gov. The schedule for each hearing is as follows:
6:00 p.m. - Doors open. Speaker signup begins.
6:30 p.m. - Hearing begins with presentation of the proposal.
6:45 p.m. - Public comment. Speakers will be called in the order in which they signed up.
Each speaker will have three minutes to make a comment or ask a question. Questions should be short enough to allow for an answer within the three minute allotment. The time limit will be strictly enforced so that as many people as possible have a chance to speak.
8:30 p.m. - Hearing concludes.
Click here for details about the proposal. The dates and locations of the town hall meetings are below.
Manhattan
When: Tuesday, February 26
Where: High School of Fashion Industries (225 W. 24th St.)
Staten Island
When: Thursday, February 28
Where: Michael J. Petrides High School (715 Ocean Terrace)
Brooklyn
When: Tuesday, March 4
Where: Brooklyn Technical High School (29 Fort Greene Pl.)
Queens
When: Thursday, March 6
Where: Hillcrest High School (160-05 Highland Ave.)
Bronx
When: Tuesday, March 11
Where: Evander Childs HS (800 E. Gun Hill Rd.)
Contact: David Cantor / Andrew Jacob (212) 374-5141
