An independent research consortium studying the Chicago decision to end social promotion, which was aimed at helping students not working at grade level, reports a mixed bag of news. Although more than half the students who spend an extra year in the same grade and attend summer school improve their scores on standardized tests, the remaining students held back continue to struggle. In some ways, ending social promotion seems to be working, according to the Consortium on Chicago School Research . The reasons are complex, and the consortium's research points to a variety of factors that contribute to the improvement in passing rates. More students are being held back in earlier grades.
Fewer students are at-risk in grades six and eight.
Students who are identified as at risk get extra help after school and during the summer. The Summer Bridge Program, an intensive summer school program, has been effective. Students seem to retain what they learn, and many score better on standardized tests. The bottom line is an overall improvement in test scores and passing rates. The number of children being retained in kindergarten through second grade began to increase in 1996 and has continued to do so.