Grade retention or grade repetition is the process of a student repeating a grade after failing the previous year.
In the United States of America, grade retention can be used in kindergarten through to third grade; however, students in high school are usually only retained in the specific failed subject. For example, a student can be promoted in a math class but retained in an English class. Most elementary school grades (kindergarten through 5th grade) are taught all subjects in one classroom for the whole day, with exceptions in art and athletics. In these grades, the student who fails or scores below the accepted level in most or all subjects is to be considered for retention. If ultimately retained, the student will then repeat the entire school year's curriculum.
Where it is permitted, grade retention is most common among at-risk students in early elementary school.[1] At-risk students with intellectual disabilities are only intended to be retained when parents and school officials agree to do so. Children who are relatively young in their age cohort are four times more likely to be retained.[2]