It is generally between the first and second level of the ladder of educational opportunity that the poor fall behind in today's Latin America. One out of every three children who enroll in first grade fail just as they are beginning school. Many of the poor have no preschool education whatsoever, and many teachers serving poor children have not been prepared to address their particular needs. For instance, many indigenous children are taught in a language and with materials they don't understand. Grade repetition is disproportionately higher among the poor.
Research shows that repetition leads to more repetition and eventually to school dropouts.
The third stage of educational opportunity gives students a chance to complete the first cycle of education, to achieve functional literacy, to do simple math, to establish cause-effect relationships, and to have basic information about science, history, social studies. Most of the children of the poor do not complete this cycle. One reason is that parents of children who must repeat grades find it increasingly impossible to continue supporting their studies. High repetition rates mean children only reach an average of fourth grade, even if they are staying in school longer. The next level of opportunity means students in the same grade will learn comparable skills and knowledge.