A national divide over holding back students: Some states do it young, others wait until high school

In this Hechinger Report article, the authors report on how states differ in their use of grade retention, from holding students back in the early elementary years to retaining students later in high school.

The story features commentary from CALDER's Dan Goldhaber, who notes: “If the retention happens in earlier grades and is combined with help, not just a threat, but some kind of positive intervention, the results, at least in the short-run, tend to be good.”

His observation highlights the importance of pairing retention policies with meaningful academic support to improve student outcomes.

Read the article below to learn more.