Work

The effect of grade retention on secondary school performance: Evidence from a natural experiment

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: We study the effects of grade retention on secondary school performance using a change in legislation in Colombia. In 2010, the rule that allowed schools to retain a maximum of 5 percent of their students was abolished. We exploit variation in changes in schools' retention rates across time in a difference-in-differences framework, and find that higher school retention rates improved performance on high-school exit tests scores. While gains in learning did not differ between STEM and non-STEM subjects, increased retention disproportionately benefited non-retained students, students from higher socioeconomic backgrounds, private schools, and schools operating under a full day shift.

Source: PLoS ONE

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0345322

Authors: Sergio Parra-Cely, Bart H. H. Golsteyn, Maria Ferreira-Sequeda

Institutions: Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Maastricht University

Language: English

Topic: School Choice and Performance

Subfield: Education

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Quality education, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,382