Middle School Grade Retention

Advocates of retention believe that repeated grades for low-performing students provide a necessary opportunity to master content and skills, and align with the increased emphasis on standards and accountability in education. However, research demonstrates and contacts note that retention does not lead to clear academic or social benefits.

Administrators can integrate opportunities into the school day ensure that all students have access to interventions aimed at minimizing the risk of middle school grade retention. An effective alternative to retention and social promotion is closely monitoring student progress, proactively identifying students who might be at risk for retention, and providing interventions both inside and outside of the school day to support these students.

In this report, retention refers to the practice of requiring a student to repeat a grade level. Promotion refers to allowing a student to move to the next grade level.