A Longitudinal Study of the Effects of Retention/Promotion on Academic Achievement

Abstract

This study examined the long-term impact of retention/promotion decisions on the academic achievement of primary grade students. First-, second-, and third-grade retainees were matched on several variables with same-age students who were not retained. Results of same-year comparisons indicated that retained students significantly improve their relative class standing by the end of the retained year, and in some cases they maintain this advantage over a 2-year period; however, after 3 years there are no differences between retained and promoted students. Comparisons of same-grade level performance provided some evidence that second- and third-grade retainees experience more sustained benefits from retention, although these benefits are delayed one year.