The author cites lack of standards for retaining students despite increased advocacy of the procedure, and suggests that learning disabled students would gain very little by retention. (CL)

The author asserts that special educators must be aware of the standards of the regular classroom and must teach the learning disabled child based on those standards. However, he cites widespread confusion and ambiguity over such standards for promotion. (CL)

Factors to be considered in deciding about nonpromotion of students include child factors (such as physical disabilities, physical size, self-concept, and ability to function independently); family factors (such as attitude toward retention and number of geographical moves); and school factors (school's, principal's, and teacher's attitude toward…

Comparison of reading skills in nine first graders retained in first grade and nine similar children promoted to second grade suggested that retention may benefit such children if they start the repeated year with increased phonemic awareness and increase their spelling-sound knowledge in second grade. Listening comprehension was not aided by…