Evaluated effects of nonpromotion in 137 high school students who had been retained in a grade, had participated in a junior first-grade program, or were matched controls. Results indicated that participants in junior first-grade programs were at par with peers, whereas grade repeaters made less progress in high school. (NRB)

Light's retention scale does not meet standards for a psychometric device for schools. Possibly because of low reliability, the total score was not found to have concurrent validity. The scale needs revision in item content to be accepted by teachers. (Author)

Discusses aspects of first-grade promotion practices, including a study of evaluation criteria used in making retention decisions, an examination of the effectiveness of transition room programs, and the effects of first-grade promotion practices on a program for preventing learning disabilities and academic failure. (JAC)

Used Light's Retention Scale totals, along with measures of achievement, and self-concept to predict academic, emotional, and social status at the end of the repeated first grade. Results suggest that Light's Retention Scale is neither reliable nor valid as a psychometric device. (Author/JAC)

This research was designed to delineate the effects of the retention in grade process upon a child's academic, social, and emotional development. The primary purpose of the study was to identify characteristics of children who benefit from the retention process. The secondary purpose was to identify those factors from the retained year that…