From: "Suzanne Heath" To: "Pettit Laura" Subject: Re: Retention Date: Tuesday, September 13, 2005 9:59 AM There is no research to support that retention has any academic benefit. The National Association of School Psychologist strongly recommends against except in very rare individual circumstances NOT related to academics. http://www.nasponline.org/pdf/graderetention.pdf These are links about grade retention in general http://www.nhida.org/retention.htm http://www.nhida.org/readarticles.htm This is a summary of the California law concerning retention http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/lr/pr/faqppr.asp http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/lr/pr/faqsi.asp I do not know what RSB means, but if this child is receiving special ed services, and being retained, then it is clear that the special education services have not been adequate to meet his educational needs. An IEP team has control over the placement of a child. If he has an IEP team, you could encourage the other team members to increase his educational services and place him in a classroom/grade where he would get appropriate instruction to address his emotional, behavioral, functional (including processing disorders), and academic needs. If he is not already identified as needing special education, then refer him for testing in all areas. Sue Heath ----- Original Message ----- From: "Pettit Laura" To: Sent: Monday, September 12, 2005 1:11 PM Subject: Retention Mrs. Health, I am a first year RSP teacher in California and need some help on the law of retention. One of my students who has been retained is 13 years old in a sixth grade class. His folder states he has had many behavior problems and has difficulties getting along with his fellow classmates. He is 2-3 years older than his classmates. Is there anything I can do to get him placed in a higher grade? I realize how busy you must be, any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated. Thank You. Sincerely, Laura Pettit