More States Enacting Third Grade Retention Policies

Education Week (3/28, Robelen) reports that Oklahoma and a number of other states have "recently adopted new reading policies that-with limited exceptions-call for 3rd graders to be held back if they flunk a state standardized test." The piece notes that these changes appear to be modeled on one made in Florida under then-Gov. Jeb Bush, adding, "Supporters say that retention is intended as a last resort, and that a key goal of the policies is to place a greater focus-and apply some extra pressure-to make sure schools intervene early with struggling readers. ... But critics say that it's misguided to base a promotion decision on a standardized-test score, and that holding a child back may do more harm than good."