This Commentary supports Gathercole's (2006) proposal on a double deficit in children with specific language impairment (SLI). The author suggests that these children have a limited phonological storage combined with a particular problem of processing novel speech stimuli. According to Gathercole, there are three areas of skill contributing to…

Educational researchers in the United States contend that making low-performing students repeat a grade is an ineffective educational practice. This view derives largely from the summary of grade retention research reported by Holmes (1989). A meta-analysis of more recent studies (Jimerson, 2001) also concludes that the practice of grade retention…

A widely held perception is that public schools are failing American children and society. Some research indicates that 9th-graders are more at risk for school failure than are students in other grades. This paper presents findings of a study that examined 9th-graders in the Durham Public School System (North Carolina) who were enrolled in a Basic…

A survey examined the grade retention of learning disabled students in North Dakota and parental aspirations for these students at the postsecondary level. Questionnaires were completed by 251 parents of learning disabled students in grades K-12 in 3 North Dakota regional consortia for special education services. About half reported that their…

"Success for All" is a compensatory education program that significantly increased the reading performance of disadvantaged primary grade students in a Baltimore (Maryland) elementary school while also reducing retentions and special education placements. The program concentrates resources in kindergarten through grade three and uses…

This document reports the potential student retainee rates for the Austin (Texas) Independent School District at the close of the 1990-91 academic year in eight figures and 21 tables. The following are the report's major findings: (1) the retention rate for 1990-91 for kindergarten through grade 12 is 4.7 percent (0.4 percentage points lower than…

A search for patterns in grade retention rates across grades 1-12 to construct simulation research models is described in this paper. Aggregate data from Shepard and Smith (1989) on grade retention rates from 12 American states for the year 1979-80 and from 11 states for 1985-86 were examined for across-grade patterns, supplemented by Dade County…

Highlighting significant findings and discussing the debate between merit promotion and social promotion, this executive summary presents the main findings and concepts detailed in a larger report on student promotion standards in American education. It outlines the movement toward developing higher promotion standards and summarizes studies of…

Retention of pupils results in a need for additional teachers, facilities, and materials at a rate approximating the rate of retention. Retention is a more serious problem for the state, which needs to pay most of these increased costs. This paper reviews the research evidence to assess the cost-effectiveness of student retention policies.…

This research review summarizes the current research literature regarding Gesell screening. It also explores the controversy over whether developmentally unready children should be held out of kindergarten, retained at the end of the kindergarten year, or placed in pre-kindergarten or pre-first grade classes. A seven-page bibliography on…

A practicum intervention designed to decrease the incidence of retention of students in first grade, through a diagnostic-prescriptive intervention program and teacher inservice activities, was implemented and evaluated. Teachers at two schools were aided in the early identification of students at-risk for retention; psycho-educational evaluations…

This paper (1) reviews the literature on the relationship between entrance age into kindergarten and academic achievement and (2) reports a study of the effect of entrance age on school success. Some experts say that age alone is the best indicator of success. Others say that chronological age, mental age, intelligence quotient, readiness,…

The Polaris Project was conducted with first year students in the Kanawha County Schools. This study was designed to support educational planning and decision-making through systematic evaluation. Data concerning three of the Polaris Project objectives were analyzed. These objectives included: helping students progress/achieve beyond expectations;…

The Pre-First classes in Springfield Local Schools, Holland, Ohio, are designed to serve developmental needs of primary school children. The district-wide program serves children of normal intelligence who are developmentally young. A screening and placement process is used. Children are placed in the classes only by parental consent to the…

A school board's proposal to require secondary school students to repeat all required courses in which they received grades of D or F would probably result in significant, unintended increases in enrollment, overcrowding of facilities, and a need to hire many additional staff members. Analysis of the district's current procedures, which deny…