With the onset of NCLB, today's students are no longer "aged out" of their elementary schools, regardless of the inappropriateness of their continuing to languish with students 3 or more years younger than them.Current research examining Chicago Public Schools confirmed evidence that CPS's retention policy actually increases the likelihood that retained students will subsequently drop out of school.  One study showed that in 1997, 16% of CPS eighth graders who were retained that year dropped out by the fall of 1998.Only 8% of eighth graders with comparable performance who were promoted in 1995 dropped out in 1996.Proportionally, therefore, twice as many students dropped out in the year after being retained than did similar students who had been "socially" promoted.  This does not even account for the approximately 15% of retained 8^th graders who failed to enroll in any high school whatsoever.  There are several studies showing a strong correlation between dropping out of school and subsequent incarceration. 

As a result of the new mandates, countless 15- and 16-year olds are currently filling the seats of America's 6th, 7th and 8th grade classrooms, meant for 11, 12 and 13 year olds.These students will be at least 16 or 17 years old by the time they will be expected to begin high school.  This can only mean they are being dealt a serious disservice by their schools who are more interested in making them "pay" for their past failures than in helping them find a way to succeed.  These "overaged" students are primarily the ones committing the most discipline offenses, initiating the most fights, and cutting the most classes when compared to their age-appropriate counterparts.These behavior patterns then continue when they finally do get to high school, resulting in higher instances of school violence than ever before.  They are discouraged, angry, and out for vengeance on a system they believe has already failed them.  These students also pose a significant negative influence on their very impressionable 12- and 13-year old classmates, encouraging them to engage in fights, join gangs, and become sexually active.What parent anticipates their 12-year olds having to fend off the sexual advances or other influences from their 16-year old classmates in middle school? 

Allowing these credit-deficient students to begin attending high school with their same-aged peers as is legally required, even if they may have to remain there for an extra year in order to complete all unfinished 8^th and 9^th grade requirements.This is still better than demeaning and humiliating them, while dooming them to a lifetime of failure and virtually no chance for a successful adulthood.

Published October 17, 2007