Debating Eighth-Grade Graduations (2/2)

The senator from Illinois said children should be expected to finish high school and college. He reminded people "you're supposed to graduate from eighth grade."

"Let's not have a huge party," he said, "let's just give them a handshake."

A growing number of middle school administrators seem to agree. They are making changes. For example, instead of graduation, some schools now call it a promotion ceremony.

James Williams is the superintendent" class="hjdict" word="superintendent" target=_blank>superintendent of public schools in Buffalo, New York. He is urging the schools in his district to hold "moving up" ceremonies at the end of eighth grade. Families would celebrate that students are moving up to the next level of their education.

The school chief says graduation from high school should be the goal. And the ceremony then, he says, should be an important, special and serious event in students' lives.

But some parents in schools that are trying to limit eighth-grade graduations say administrators are overreacting. They say graduation ceremonies are a good way to celebrate success in school. And they say the recognition might make some students more likely to complete their education.