Retention

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Home : 2003 : March : 17

Retention
By Cathy-Dee

In our district it is basically left up to the teacher's and administrators to make the decisions on retention.

However in all the school's I've taught in and from my own personal experience the best grades to have any
form of retention are in first and second grade.
Reasoning behind this -
These two grades are what I like to call Mastery grades. The curriculum is 90% skill based rather than knowledge based. It is during these two grades students learn their letter sounds, learn to read, how to write, learn basic math skills. If we do not catch them during these two grades then sending up to grade

3 onwards only create a student who is very frustrated with the system.

As well by grade 3 students are much more aware of their peers and value the opinions of their friends. Many have developed close friendships (some that may last a life time). Retaining a child at that age can be very stressful for them.

In Alberta where I teach the only mandated rules are that we can only repeat once during grades K to 3 and then if necessary once again from grades 4 to 6. However it is rare for a child to be retained twice during their elementary years.

Now after all that is said - parents still have the final say. If it is against our advice we have a form letter that is sent to the parent advising them that we do not agree with their decision and that their child will be placed (not passed) into the next grade against our advice.