Individual Education Plans Are Uncommon After Grade Retention

Grade retention during the early school years is a red flag to initiate an IEP process, yet most children do not receive this service.

About 5% to 10% of U.S. elementary school-age children repeat a grade annually. The most common reasons for grade retention are academic underachievement, behavior problems, and school absenteeism. Many retained children benefit from special education services at the time of retention or in subsequent years. Under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, every child has a right to be evaluated for an individual education plan (IEP) — the process that initiates eligibility for special educational services.

Investigators estimated the proportion of retained elementary school children who received IEPs in a nationally represented sample of children who attended kindergarten in 1998–1999. Children were followed through the fifth …

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics