In the spring of 1984, the status of 131 students in Canada's 1980-81 junior kindergarten classes and 587 students in 1981-82 classes was documented by a follow-up study. Analyses consisted of frequency distributions for each relevant variable, compiled separately for students identified as "model" or "compensatory" in each…

One of 10 documents developed for preschool programs for handicapped children, the document reports a study of the long term effectiveness of the preschool program supported by the Board of Cooperative Educational Services in Putnam/Northern Westchester (New York). The study evaluated the impact of the program on 66 children in the areas of later…

Research on the retention or promotion of failing students has been unable to demonstrate the superiority of either method, concludes the author of this review. Furthermore, research shows that neither method by itself solves the educational problems of low-achieving students, since both retained and promoted students continue to achieve at levels…

GRADE REPETITION, PARTICULARLY IN THE EARLY GRADES, NOT ONLY FAILS TO HELP THE MAJORITY OF PUPILS ACADEMICALLY, BUT IN MANY CASES, CREATES ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS. FACTORS INVOLVED IN A STUDENT'S FAILURE VARY FROM SCHOOL TO SCHOOL. THE MAJOR PROBLEMS OF GRADE REPETITION ARE THAT THE STUDENT IS OLDER AND LARGER THAN HIS CLASSMATES, AND THAT HIS…

A survey of 200 student folders revealed that elementary school (ES) nonpromotion is primarily associated with low academic achievement and IQ, whereas junior high school (JHS) nonpromotion is mainly correlated to behavioral suspensions and absenteeism. Improved performance occurs in the year following an ES nonpromotion but not following a JHS…

A Michigan elementary school has developed an unusual six-tier grading structure to accommodate the needs of children at different stages of development. They provide half-step classrooms that allow students to move forward in school at a rate that allows success. (MD)

Retention practices are poorly documented yet the most comprehensive research on retention (Holmes and Mathews) shows that children who repeat a grade make less progress than similar children who are promoted. Explores the contradiction existing between school reform policy and actual retention practice. (MD)

Examined the relationship between early school retention as a result of preschool and kindergarten developmental testing and children's later academic achievement (N=223). Results showed children who scored as immature on the Gesell Screening Test and who were retained a year had the lowest scores on all measures. (JAC)

Reviews the history of grade repetition as a remedy for inadequate student achievement, examines recent trends in grade repetition policies, cites research findings relating to the effectiveness of grade repetition, clarifies the responsibilities of school personnel in making grade repetition decisions, and discusses alternatives to simple…

This literature review cautions that the issue of whether promotion or retention is more beneficial to student achievement is especially murky when it becomes a political decision. It concludes that grade retention seems to ignore the question of instructional effectiveness, blames the child for failure, and absolves the school of responsibility.…

Examined the effect of the presence of torque (clockwise circlings with either hand on a visual-motor task) on academic achievement variables among normal, disturbed, and learning-disabled children (N=948). Results indicated no clear relationship between torque and the various academic variables. (LLL)

Retention and social promotion are expensive failures. History and research show that retention and social promotion are ineffective in improving student learning and achievement. The alternative to these failed strategies is to personalize the learning environment. Research indicates six promising strategies for personalization, thereby reducing…

The 2000-2001 school year marked the first year of implementation of the Wake County Board of Education's Promotion and Intervention Policy at grades K through 8. It also marked the first year of the state's requirement that third, fifth, and eight grade students demonstrate grade level proficiency on the state End-of-Grade tests in reading and…

This report provides annual information for the 1997-1998 school year on grade-level retention in the Texas public school system, based on the Public Education Information Management System. In 1997-1998, a total of 150,953 students in kindergarten through grade 12 were retained in grade, an overall retention rate of 4.3%. Data on retention are…

Outlines a year-long approach to monitoring student progress and soliciting help from parents and pupil personnel staff when learning problems develop. (SJL)