Legal Implications for Student Retention

Abstract

The practice of student retention has always been a controversial method of remediation. Consequently, with opponents of the practice arguing that retention is an ineffective alternative for at-risk youth and advocates charging that social promotion amounts to a failure to enforce meaningful academic standards, the courts have become involved in litigation concerning this issue. This article reviews several retention-related court decisions nationwide and suggests 10 best practices that school administrators can use when considering or implementing student retention policies.