Standardized Testing Leads to Increased Grade Retention

Many states employ test-based retention policies that prevent students from promoting to the next grade if they do not test at least proficient on state standardized exams. Not only does retaining a student because of standardized testing affect them emotionally, but it also hinders their academic career. According to research, retained students drop out more often than other students. The reason for this is that older students in lower grades have low self-confidence and become outcasts in school. A couple key states that implement these policies are Chicago and Baltimore.

Created by Veff Parker

Chicago reported having its highest-grade retention rate since implementing test-based retention policies in 1996. A study found that students who were retained for not scoring proficient on the standardized test continued to do poorly. In fact, students who struggled in the year that they repeated, had higher rates of special education placement and had no advantage over the students who were promoted. The 6^th grade students in the study had lower achievement growth due to being held back a year. Baltimore reported that more than 25 percent of its students would be retained this year mostly because of standardized testing.Because a high percentage of retained students dropout, they are less likely to enroll in a university and have lower education and employment status. These individuals tend to be paid less than those who aren’t retained.

Created by Dan Vasconcellos

With a lower achievement growth, students who were subjected to grade retention have a high chance of being delinquent. Studies mention a two-year achievement gap between youth who commit crime and those who don’t. Once students fall behind and separate themselves from other students, they begin skipping class and become involved in behaviors that lead to their suspension. Such behaviors are not only key indicators of juvenile delinquency, but also are linked to future criminality in adulthood. This could be a diect indicator for why Chicago and Baltimore are known for having high crime rates.

What started out as an attempt to make sure students had an equal chance at academic promotion, resulted in a policy that heightened dropout rates, lowered a student’s chance of career success and increased the chance of criminality within a student.