Date of Award

8-2003

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Education

Department

Education

First Advisor

Nancy Schneider

Second Advisor

Larry Matthews

Abstract

This study investigated the academic effects of kindergarten retention on a group of eighth grade students who had been retained at the kindergarten level (n=22). The comparison group used consisted of eighth grade students who had been recommended for kindergarten retention but who were not actually retained (n=27). The students' fifth grade Terra Nova Standardized Test scores were analyzed to gather data for this study. The retained students had more not-mastered or partially mastered Terra Nova Performance Objectives and fewer mastered objectives than the students who were not retained. Some significant differences in academic achievement level were found in the subjects of science and math. The retained students also scored lower than the comparison group in the subjects of reading and social studies though not significantly lower. The overall results of this study indicate that grade retention as an academic intervention was ineffective and alternatives to retention are discussed.

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Education Commons

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