Repeating a grade offers little academic benefit and makes students 20 to 50% more likely to drop out, concludes a Deakin University survey of dozens of Australian and American studies on retention. Researcher Helen McGrath says that rather than simply promote struggling students, schools should instead consider tailoring support and instruction to their needs. The Sydney Morning Herald (8/30)

The study, To Repeat or Not to Repeat?, was published in the July edition of WORDS: Journal of the Association of Western Australian Primary Principals.