A common practice in U.S. schools is "social promotion" -- advancing a pupil who hasn't mastered tasks in one grade to the next grade. The practice is finally being attacked by critics ranging from teachers to the president of the United States.

A recent survey by the American Federation of Teachers revealed social promotion is "rampant across the country."

• A 1994 survey by Peter D. Hart Research Associates found that 46 percent of AFT-affiliated teachers said they had been pressured to promote students who were unprepared for the next grade.

• Of the 85 school districts surveyed, only three gave teachers final approval over advancements -- with principals usually making the final decision after consulting with teachers, parents or school associations (see figure). LINK http://www.ncpa.org/pd/gif/students.gif

• While many school districts allow students to be retained in their grade, they limit the number of times a slow or problem student can be held back -- effectively forcing the advancement of unready students at some point.

• Critics say parents often try to force unwarranted advancements to avoid embarrassment, and principals want to avoid the reputation of having a failing school.

Some school districts are adopting reforms to curb the practice.

• Chicago now requires children in certain grades to pass a standardized test or attend summer school to be promoted.

• Any eighth-grader not reading at grade level, not getting at least a "D" average, or having 20 or more unexcused absences, must take summer classes and be retested before moving on to the ninth grade.

• Students not passing the second time must go back to elementary school.

And in Gwinnett County, Ga., failing students go through intervention programs, such as before-school classes, summer school or tutoring.