Chapter 10: Recommendations and a Personal View

The conferees, consisting of the chapter authors, other scholars, educators, parents, and policymakers did not reach consensus on all issues and interpretations of findings, but agreed that the major issues and views had been expressed in the papers and the work groups. Though not every participant agreed with each point, the generally consensual recommendations are as follows.

Although there is no magical cure for the possible harms of retention, it is critical to examine retention alternatives before students are retained, which suggests, among other things, quality preschools for children. Students who attend academically oriented preschools are less likely to be retained in later school years. In addition to preschool, full-day kindergarten might further benefit students. Such early programs provide children opportunities to build strong academic foundations. Even so, educators need provide remediation to meet students’ academic needs, regardless of whether or not they have been well prepared or retained.