An analysis of the relevant literature reveals that most studies on self-esteem and hopelessness levels of repeating students examine levels of success and failure among students from various educational stages, with demographic variables such as socioeconomic characteristics, race, sex, and self-concept. There are few previous studies about the…

Critics of Head Start contend that many programs spend too much money on programs extraneous to children. On the other hand, Head Start advocates argue that the families of severely disadvantaged children need a broad range of services. Given the available evidence, it has been impossible to assess the validity of these claims. In this study, we…

In this article, the author discusses the dilemma between retaining and promoting students who are unprepared for the next level, and offers a solution to this dilemma. In a perfect world, every student would be academically prepared for the next grade, and there would be no need to choose between holding students back and passing them on…

This study examined the impact of grade repetition or retention on the subsequent academic performance of students in rural and urban areas in northeast Tennessee. A total of 40 students who were retained in grades 3 or 5 during the 1985-1986 school year, and 70 students who were not retained, completed the Stanford Achievement Test yearly between…

Over 75 percent of the students enrolling as freshmen in Chicago's public high schools during 1978, 1979, and 1980 made up the sample for a study of the student characteristics that affected dropout rates. The characteristics assessed were reading achievement (as indicated by eighth-grade standardized test scores), age at enrollment in high…

The Austin Independent School District (AISD) is now in its third year of study on the effects of a new retention policy adopted in 1981-82. Reviewing the results of the first two years led to the conclusion that traditional methods of studying retention might not be the most appropriate. These evaluations have primarily focused on the impact of…

Eighty-seven children relinquished at birth and adopted before the age of three years into different social classes were assessed in late adolescence. Findings indicated that the school failure of adoptees varies as a function of the social class of the adopive parents: the higher the social class, the lower the number of repeated grades. (RH)

Background: A linguistic mismatch between school and community creates problems in both access to school services and the quality of those services. Consideration of mother tongue is the key for making schools more inclusive for girls. Purpose: To argue that education in mother tongue results in making schools more inclusive for disadvantaged…

This series tracks the performance of Chicago, Illinois, public high school students from 1993 to 2000 using data from the last 2 years of Phase 1 reform as a baseline for looking at the first 5 years of Phase 2. This report tracks changes in high school enrollment and explores possible causes. Analyses of data from various sources show that the…

Retention of students...has detrimental effects, not only on academic achievement but also on the students' self-concepts and attitudes. (Author)

A survey of teachers indicates that they practice grade repetition although research does not show any benefits from it. Suggestions are made for inservice programs acquainting teachers with research and alternative practices. (CMJ)

Citing selected studies and experiences at the Gesell Institute of Human Development, the author argues that grade repetition benefits children whose behavior age is less than their chronological age. She emphasizes parent cooperation for dealing with the child's temporary emotional upset over being retained. Condensed from "Early Years," December…

Examines whether retention continues to be embraced by North Carolina teachers. Surveys (1) how many children were promoted but considered (by teachers) not ready for promotion; and (2) reasons given for retention and/or lack of readiness for first grade. Notes that as many children were retained as were deemed not ready for first grade but were…

Developed a predictive model for profiling potential high school dropouts during middle school. Data collected from archival sources presented a profile, which included being retained more often, being overage, receiving free/reduced lunch, being less likely to participate in high school athletics, receiving more Ds and Fs, having poorer…

Research suggests that delayed entry into kindergarten has a better chance than kindergarten retention of helping at-risk children avoid school failure. Educators are cautioned to take into account the interactions among race and ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, and age. Some researchers view full-day kindergarten as one way of providing…