Holding back kids is not a good strategy.

Plenty of research has shown that it generally doesn’t work, and you can read about those students at The Best Resources For Learning About Grade Retention, Social Promotion & Alternatives To Both.

In recent years, there’s been an effort by states to automatically hold back third-graders who don’t reach a certain reading score.

Now, a new study finds that it’s not the actual retention that helps students.  Rather, it’s the extra targeted support they receive after they are held back.

Um, what could districts do, then?  How about promoting the students and giving them the extra support they need when they are in the next grade, thereby avoiding the personal trauma of retention?

You can read all about the new study at Education Week’s article, Is 3rd Grade Retention the Secret to Better Reading Outcomes—Or Something Else?