Adults\u27 Recollections and Reflections on the Impacts of Grade Retention

This qualitative study chronicles the experiences of retention as told by adults who experienced retention. Through criterion sampling and snowball sampling, ten participants were identified and interviewed to learn more about their experiences with retention. Through one-on-one interviews, the researcher sought to examine what characterizes the experiences and responses of adults who were retained during their K-12 academic career. Their in-depth responses revealed participants’ perceptions of retention and the effects that it produced in their lives. This study humanized the data by allowing participants to tell an account of retention that coincides with past research. The findings of this study reflected previous studies that found retention produces temporary gains followed by lifelong detriments to participants’ social, emotional, and behavioral well-being. This study brought new insight to the retention debate by giving voice to participants