But these relatively few academic benefits do not usually persist into later grades. Back to the Table of Contents Social Stigma of Retention Retained children understand that because of something that is wrong with them, they cannot go on with their classmates. Retained children know that they are not making normal progress. Kindergarten retention is traumatic and disruptive for children. This conclusion is supported by our extensive interviews with parents of retained children.
Most parents report significant negative emotional effects associated with retention.
Parents' qualitative assessments of their retained children also support our arguments about the social stigma of retention. Kindergarten retention also has a negative consequence over the long run. Children who are too old for their grade are much more likely than their classmates to drop out of school. The fad to flunk kindergartners is the product of inappropriate curriculum. For the last 20 years, there has been a persistent escalation of academic demand on kindergartners and first-graders.