And he might have been more prepared for upper elementary skills, including risk-taking, guessing, context clueing, and the use of prior knowledge. Retention might have prepared this child for academic success. For most struggling children, retention provides the opportunity to refresh, relearn, and acquire new skills that help them move to the next grade level. It won't happen. Nip the problem in the bud by retaining students early in their school careers.
Kids get an essential educational foundation in kindergarten, first, and second grade.
If they don't have a grasp of the basics at this age, they shouldn't be permitted to move on. Establish a way of transitioning students into the next higher grade when they're ready. They should be moved within that academic year to an academically appropriate or age- appropriate level. When kids see that there's a way out of a situation they don't like, they'll take it. Retained students will see the incentive to learn and be promoted with their peers.