Der Diskurs des Versagens

Critical Events throughout the Educational Career: The Effect of Grade Retention and Repetition on School-Aged Children’s Well-Being

“…Quantitative studies conclude that grade repetition would not lead to a general improvement in school performance, and is, from an economic point of view, a "waste of money invested in education" [61] (p. 117f). Qualitative studies, however, emphasize that a general rejection of grade repetition is premature [7]. Positive consequences for well-being can result from grade repetition, especially if it was based on a voluntary decision of students and their parents [7,39].…”

“…Qualitative studies, however, emphasize that a general rejection of grade repetition is premature [7]. Positive consequences for well-being can result from grade repetition, especially if it was based on a voluntary decision of students and their parents [7,39]. For instance, a supportive environment outside school, a high level of students´individual educational aspiration, or a reflective examination of the causes and consequences of grade retention could help students to perceive the event as an opportunity [7,65].…”

“…Sometimes a grade repetition is based on a voluntary repetition decision [5]. Thus, the decision to repeat a grade is made primarily conditional on low school performance [6,7]; in cases of low school performance, teachers, parents or both decide that a student has to be retained for one school year, meaning a repetition of the same school grade. Students face then a grade retention decision.…”

“…The year in which students repeat a grade is subsequently herein after named grade repetition. Sometimes, grade repetition serves as a targeted measure, pursuing the idea that the level of students' learning and achievement within a school class should be rather homogeneous in order to enable "smoother learning progresses" [5,7]. In addition, grade repetition might serve as a remedial function by offering students the opportunity to make up for previous deficits in individual school subjects without the additional burden of learning new content [7].…”