Struggling students need other options

June 15, 2005

Doreen Schumacher/Spectrum

Summer is here and many parents are facing the decision of whether or not to have their child repeat a grade. Decades of research show us that having students repeat a grade is of questionable educational benefit and often has negative effects on students. However, many continue to believe that this practice helps struggling or immature students get "caught up."

Research studies help us look at the big-picture, long-term experiences and outcomes of thousands of retained students. If you or someone you know is considering retention, it's important to make an informed decision. We know that for most students, retention hurts more than it helps. Commonly held beliefs about the benefits of retention that have been dispelled by decades of research include:

€ Retained children have a much higher likelihood of dropping out of school than their non-retained peers (this is the most consistent, and arguably the most important finding).

€ Although most children appear to catch up the first year or two after being retained, they typically fall behind again in later grades. Promoted peers with similar skills fare at least as well academically and often do better.

€ Retention is generally unsuccessful even in kindergarten or first grade. While some research suggests that retention has more negative effects for older students, even retention of kindergarten children appears to be ineffective.

€ Research examining the overall effects of 19 empirical studies conducted during the 1990s compared outcomes for students who were retained and matched comparison students who were promoted. Results indicated that retention had a negative impact on all areas of achievement (reading, writing and math) and socio-emotional adjustment (peer relationships, self esteem, problem behaviors and attendance).

Research also indicates that retention may be less harmful for children who feel good about themselves, get along well with others, and have the skills to catch up easily. It may also be helpful for children who have missed a lot of school due to illness or family moves, if the attendance problem is solved.

The bottom line is, neither retention nor social promotion will help a child learn. In order to succeed, your child may need different instruction, not the same things again that didn't work the first time.

What can parents do?

Discuss your concerns with your child's teacher. Ask lots of questions. Does he or she seem to understand and follow directions? Does he or she finish assignments on time? Are there other books or materials that might help your child learn? What are some activities you can do with your child to help them catch up? Ask your child's teacher for ideas and resources.

Ask you child about homework each day. Help him or her find a quiet place to study. Check to see if your child can explain the assignment to you or read the directions. Perhaps you should consider hiring a tutor. Make sure your child understands you think school work is important.

Make sure your child is ready for school each day. Make sure your child attends school on time every day, eats balanced meals, gets enough sleep and medical care. Children need to be alert and healthy to succeed in school.

It can be frustrating to know your child is not succeeding in school. If you are facing the decision about whether to retain your child, consider your options carefully. In the end, educators and parents want the same thing - for your children to succeed in school and in life.

If you would like more information about the research on retention, including the multiple sources used for this article, go to www.nasponline.org and click "Helpful Information," then go to NASP Position statements. There you will find a position statement on grade retention endorsed by the National Association of School Psychologists.

Doreen Schumacher is a nationally certified school psychologist and certified school counselor. She is the mother of two boys and has worked for the Mat-Su School District for 10 years.