One of the issues that perennially confront teachers and
administrators is whether or not to retain a student. According to the National
Association of School Psychologists, student retention can be harmful. There
have been several studies that have pointed to this conclusion. First- a student can be emotionally
traumatized to have to spend another year in the same grade. It can lead to
poor self-esteem and can ruin established friendships. Second- studies have
indicated that any academic gains are short lived.
So how do teachers deal with the issue of a student with has
not had a successful academic school year?
A number of schools have tried to use summer school programs as an
alternative to retention. Their goal is to not make school seem like dread or worse-
a prison. Since there is a learning loss for all students during the 10-12 week
summer vacation, having a program of reinforcement can be successful. Other schools have developed independent summer reading programs for students with awards for students who complete the program. Computer assisted curricula scan also work during the summer.
One of the recurring themes when this topic is researched is
who gets retained. Unfortunately, minority students, and students from low
socio-economically distressed families, tend to be at the top of the retention
list. This is an issue that will not go away until there is more academic equity.
Lest, I sound like a broken record- take a look at Cultural Literacy by E.D. Hirsch, Jr. or Why Johnny Can’t Read by Rudolf Flesch. Until we have more economic
equity, we will not have more academic equity.
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