Relation of Academic History and Demographic Variables to Grade Retention in Lebanon

The relation between certain antecedent variables in students' academic history and home environment and the frequency of grade retention in Lebanon was investigated. A representative sample of schools (260) stratified by type, geographic location, and size was chosen. One retained student from each grade level (with retainees in it) was randomly chosen. Student questionnaires and interviews were used to collect relevant information on 1,633 retainees. The results revealed well-defined characteristics of the retained students. A large percentage of the students entered school early, experienced frequent retentions, and changed schools. Demographically, most of them were male, overage for their classrooms, and from public schools and rural areas. In addition, they were usually middle children in large families, with one third of the families headed by a single parent. Parental education and occupation levels were low. Results also revealed that frequency of retention was not independent of these variables. Policy implications of the results are discussed, and future research directions are suggested.