Definitions for "Social Promotion"
1) The promotion of a student to a higher grade level even though the student isn't academically qualified to advance; 2) The promotion of an incompetent, tyrannical, or corrupt administrator who can't be fired (Interestingly, some people who were socially promoted as students become lousy but well-paid principals who then get even higher salaries after they are socially promoted out of harm's way. Thus, some liberals are now promoting social promotions as a fast track to success.)
Promoting students to the next grade when they are not ready academically; intended to keep students with peers their same age.
Promoting a child to the next grade in order to keep the child with his or her peers and social group.