School Retention Linked to Violent Crimes in Adulthood in New Study
January 2, 2019
By: Sasha Jones
Source: Education Week
Test-based retention in 8th grade increases the likelihood of criminal conviction by age 25, according to a new study.
The study focused on Louisiana students who were held back in 8th grade between 1998-1999 through 2000-2001 because they just scored just below the cutoff on tests designed to determine whether they were ready for promotion to 9th grade. Their outcomes were compared with those for similarly low-performing students in the same state who were promoted to 9th grade during the same time period. By doing so, the authors of the study hope to eliminate external socioeconomic factors that could led to similar effects.