The subject of my petition is grade promotion and not summer school mandate. Nevertheless, here is my response to Mayor’s office after being told this is case-by-case decision. 

”Thank you for your response. I recognize that, as a parent, I am able to decide whether or not my child is ready for promotion. However, most parents do not know that they have a say in this decision. There is a huge societal and institutional pressure to “move kids along” whether or not they are prepared. Students who are “promotion in doubt” are threatened by schools to complete minimum coursework to earn credit. These students are intimidated and anxious which does not foster a positive learning environment and puts them further behind if they are moved into the next grade. 

It is the obligation of DOE to tell parents and students that they need to assess their individual circumstances and work with schools to determine what is right for their children. More importantly, schools should accept and not stigmatize students who need to repeat the school year. There will be many children who will benefit from repeating the school year. 

The option of having kids repeat the school year has not been offered to families. Thanks for considering my point of view and helping to get the word out to students and parents”.