Although grade retention is widely practiced, it does not help children catch up or prevent school dropouts. In one study, children rated the prospect of flunking a grade as more stressful than wetting in class or being caught stealing. Remediation and other within-grade instructional efforts have a more positive success rate. Includes 16…

Although previous reviews of acceleration outcomes have been markedly positive, practitioners have markedly negative perceptions of acceleration's efficacy. This article reviews and evaluates academic, social, and emotional benefits of early school entrance, grade skipping, nongraded classrooms, curriculum compacting, grade telescoping, concurrent…

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…

In November 1983, the Boston School Committee approved the establishment of a promotion policy for students in grades 1 through 12. This document first introduces that policy and explores implementation plans. Second, a rationale is presented that cites six major reasons for the policy's creation: attaining equity, holding students to grade level…

Light's Retention Scale, consisting of 19 evaluation categories, is designed for use by teachers and school psychologists to determine whether a student should be retained in grade or promoted. Another suggested use is for nonprofessionals to determine what educational and psychological research discloses about a specific retention candidate in…

Evaluated the effectiveness of an academic workshop in achieving its explicit and implicit goals. The program, attended by 292 high school students, consisted of workshop and class samplings from the U.S. Military Academy's curriculum. The explicit goal of increasing attendees' understanding of college-level academic offerings was accomplished.…

A retired teacher argues that a return to fundamentals in elementary schools and a change in the policy of social promotion in schools are primary to improving the quality of education. (JMF)

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

The issue of minimum competency testing (MCT) was put on a three-day trial conducted by the National Institute of Education. Both pro and con sides agreed that MCT shouldn't be used for teacher evaluation, allocation of educational resources, and retention of nonpassing students. (Author/GK)

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)

This study investigated policies about the use of content acceleration and grade skipping for gifted students in middle and secondary schools by 105 school districts. Results indicated that only 15% of responding districts had formal policies about grade skipping, whereas 57% had informal policies effectively preventing grade skipping. Formal…

Surveyed state-level contacts concerning retention/promotion policies and role of school psychologist in retention/promotion decisions within their states. Examined specific state policies, number of students retained at specific grade levels, and individual view of state-level contacts/consultants on actual and ideal roles of school…

Investigated the outcomes from a transitional first grade school readiness program (SRP). Students recommended for SRP placement yet not placed did not exhibit significant second grade differences compared with the year-older SRP-placed students across achievement, related services, parental factors, or teacher rating outcomes. This finding is…

KIPP Ujima Village Academy is a member of the KIPP (Knowledge is Power) National Network of schools. The Baltimore KIPP serves approximately 300 students in Northwest Baltimore in grades 5-8; the school opened in Fall 2002 and converted to a charter school in 2005. This study analyzes four cohorts of 5th grade students in the Baltimore City Public…