Selma City Schools’ elementary students must meet tougher criteria before moving on to the next grade beginning this school year.

Since national and state standards achievement levels were raised, it was imperative that current local practices be enhanced to work in conjunction with what is required.

Integrated technology and reading are the two areas that will receive increased emphasis in elementary classes.

Elementary students in the first through the fifth grades who do not pass will have to repeat the grade the next academic year and attend summer enrichment classes to improve skills.

For fifth grade students, a request placement in the Alternative School is a possibility. Kindergarten students will have to repeat the grade the following year.

At least one Selma mother welcomed the new, tougher standards. Toya Sanders has one child in first grade and another in second.

But all parents may not be happy, or as accepting, about it, Payne Elementary Principal Arthur Capers said.

Capers said that in the past Selma City Schools passed children who were not ready to move on. &uot;We will not pass any child that has not met the requirements,&uot; he said.

Students will have to be at or above their grade level, Janis Stewart, principal of Meadowview Elementary, said. She suggested parents &uot;limit the amount of TV time&uot; and make the home environment &uot;reading rich.&uot; This, inevitably, will help smooth the promotion transition.

The new guidelines include such factors as students’ daily class performance, the quality of work produced, and performance on tests of required skills outlined in the state and local curriculum guides.