Third Grade Retention
Third Grade Retention
Research has shown third grade retention has unintended negative consequences. We’ve seen a backing away from this “reform” in recent years, but continue to watch for its resurgence.
In 2012, Rep. Steve Huebert, pre-filed a bill that would require third graders not reading proficiently be held back. This concept has been a favorite of ALEC, and at the time he filed this bill, Rep. Huebert was on the ALEC education task force. As multiple states grappled with this type of legislation, evidence showed negative emotional and financial impacts of having children repeat a grade, and that other earlier interventions can solve the same problem without the negative effects.
Further Reading
This article in the Wichita Eagle discusses some of the issues associated with the 2013 proposed implementation of third grade retention. http://www.kansas.com/2013/02/02/2661347/will-retention-work-for-kansas.html
What does third grade retention do to students? The Atlantic looks at possible outcomes for students. While the article notes that test scores for fourth graders were increased in Florida after the implementation of third grade retention, scores for eight graders in reading showed little improvement. Blanket retention policies may have other unintended consequences and are unlikely by themselves to fix the problem. http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/02/third-grade-again-the-trouble-with-holding-students-back/253065/
When Ohio implemented a similar policy, the legislature there did little to calculate the real cost of such a policy for the district. http://www.ohio.com/news/local-taxpayers-may-pay-heavy-price-for-state-legislature-s-reading-mandates-1.368264?appSession=48132430619357&cbSearchAgain=true