The Answer - A blog about Education, Preparation, and Commitment.

Ten Tips for Working with Retained Students

August 23, 2010 by Jeremy Tatum

As YES Prep begins a new school year, most teachers are anxious to meet their new students, but some teachers get to greet some former students all over again.  YES Prep's 6th through 12th grade model means that 6th grade is the first opportunity for our students to face rigorous and challenging college preparatory expectations for both academics and behavior.  The transition from elementary school to 6th grade can be challenging for any raising middle schoolers, but with the high level of expectations at YES Prep, students can have their academic weaknesses exposed with greater detail.  In fact, most of our students come into school two to three grade levels behind in reading and math.  Our challenge is to ensure that we close that gap incrementally until we can ensure that 100% of our students are performing on or above grade level by the 8th grade.  We believe that by catching a student up by 8th grade will ensure that they are prepared for a rigorous high school experience. 

So, for some of our students, three years in middle school is simply not enough to get them caught up to grade level by the time they begin high school.  YES Prep always ensures that every student has what he/she needs to be successful and for some of our students that means spending another year in the same grade.  In some school environments, this can have stigma attached to it that negatively impacts the student's self-esteem and willingness to take healthy academic risks.  However, at YES Prep, our culture is a strong one that exemplifies the famous F.A.T. City quote, "Education is not equal, it is fair," meaning that each student gets the amount of attention and time they need to be ready to be successful in college.

With some of our students returning to the same grade level this year, our Student Support Counseling team put together some tips for teachers working with retained students. 

10 Tips for working with Retained Students

1. Celebrate Small Successes

2. Don’t reinforce a negative label such as "Retainer", etc.

3. Use positive reinforcement for good strides and goal attainment

4. Don’t assume they already understand the content

5. Treat them as equals to the other students with regard to their unique needs

6. Foster a positive relationship

7. Look for ways to include these students through leadership opportunities

8. Realize that what they are going through is difficult

9. Start fresh in building a positive relationship with their parents

10. Intentionally remind students of "why" they should keep "trying"

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