Retention: The Fourth R, Retention Perception and Practices in the Kennewick School District

A descriptive study was conducted by means of a questionnaire to determine what the Kennewick School District teachers and principals perceived the official district policy to be regarding nonpromotion of a student. The results showed that principals had a clear understanding of the policy while half of the responding teachers did not. Retention practices were investigated and it was found that 74 students were retained for the year 1987 by teachers, with principals reporting 31 retentions district-wide. Criteria for nonpromotion decision making was identified and ranked in order of frequency used by both teachers and principals. Communication of the district policy was found to be effective by principals while 70% of the teachers indicated communication of the said policy was either somewhat effective or not effective. Recommendations for retention of students and for communication of the Kennewick School District retention and promotion policy are discussed