As the RTI/SST Specialist for Atlanta Public Schools, I am often times teachers ask my opinion about retaining students. Teachers want to seemingly "move" a student to SST (Tier 3) and think this will promote the retention of a student and solve the students "issues." Yes, some student's academic issues can be attributed to social forces beyond our control, however, some issues are the result of poor teaching. I often times come across teachers who claim that a student lacks this or lacks that, has academic deficits in reading and math, but nothing has been done on the teacher's part. And yet-- the teacher can fix his or her mouth to ask about my thoughts on retention.
I am opposed to retention because:
1. It has developmental effects on students psych, as well as socio-emotional development.
2. It increases the rate of potential drop outs.
3. It is not equitable.
I understands students learn at different rates, but I do not believe keeping a student in the same grade to repeat standards he or she did not master. Teachers have the ability to reach students, if it means going over and beyond. Once you find that small weak spot in a child, use that as ammunition and teach as much as you can to these students. Remember learning she be focused on growth, not grades.
So I ask you, Retention or "nah"?
I love the "fix his or her mouth to ask me" comment! :-) I agree with you, but only partially. If a student shows CLEAR lack of growth AFTER remediation and other strategies have been put into place, then that's a reason to retain I think. If not, then, yes. I think the teacher could've probably done more.
ReplyDeleteWhile I certainly don't think retention is for everyone who may be recommended for it, I do think it has it's place and function in education, maybe more so in elementary where the foundation is still being built. We have had several students greatly benefit from being retained, but we also had the proper documentation and parental support for that as well. I think there are many factors that should be considered when retaining and interventions (whether or not they were done) should definitely be a part of that decision. This seems like a very gray area and one that needs to be considered on an individual basis within individual schools.
ReplyDeleteMichael, This is exactly what I spoke about in one of my blogs. I agree that teachers are not doing enough and then want to retain a student. In my case, teachers are not being held accountable. Whenever most of our teachers are asked "what interventions have you tried", it's like deer in headlights and complete silence. I think it is utterly a shame that teachers are not there to help move students. It's one thing for students to be below grade level, but it's another to not TRY any interventions.
ReplyDeleteHasn't the research CLEARLY spoken on this topic. Statistically speaking, retention doesn't work. Of course, that doesn't mean that is the case for all students. However, it does indicate you should be very careful before retaining a student.
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