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As the school year winds down, many parents and teachers are discussing plans for the next school year. At Education.com, we have received a large number of questions in our online community, JustAsk, regarding the topic of grade retention. In general, the questions go something like this, “My child’s teacher is recommending that my child be retained another year. What should I do?” Given the large number of parents who are struggling with this questions, I decided to tweet about it on Twitter @ChildPsych. The tweet generated such a healthy debate on the advantages and disadvantages of grade retentions, I thought I might keep the conversation going in the form of a blog post.

To date, the majority of research suggests that grade retention does NOT positively impact children. For example, Dr. Jimerson conducted a meta-analysis (analyzing the cumulative results of previous research on the topic) in 2001, finding that “grade retention does not provide greater benefits to students with academic or adjustment difficulties than does promotion to the next grade.” Experts have theorized that the characteristics that predisposed the child to difficulty in school initially, persist throughout development, effectively “trumping” any short term gains that could be earned with grade retention. Indeed, the evidence is so strong, the National Association of School Psychologists issued a position statement (the top thinkers in the field of school psychology convened together, discussed the topic, and declared a final declaration on the topic) recommending that parents and teachers limit the use of grade retention.

Despite the evidence, I do recognize that grade retention can be beneficial for some students. Some students simply need another year of development to be “ready” in order to access the classroom curriculum. I recommend that parents do their best to  get the latest information available on grade retention, talk with their child’s teacher and school administrators, and use their gut to make the best decision possible. And, when in doubt, JustAsk!