Factors related to grade retention in children with short stature

A recent study by Holmes et al. (1982) revealed a high degree (23%) of grade retention in a group of children with significant short stature secondary to growth hormone deficiency (GHD), constitutional delay (CD); or Turner's Syndrome (TS). Parents indicated in a free response format that 'immaturity' and 'small size' were the reasons for retention. The present follow-up study obtained academic achievement data on 47 of the 56 short children from the Holmes et al. (1982) study to assess what role academic factors, not spontaneously mentioned by parents, may have had in the retention decision. Results indicated that despite repeating a year in the primary grades, the group of retained children were still functioning 6 months below grade expectation, compared to grade appropriate achievement in the never-retained group. Parents and teachers were both accurate in their perceptions of children's academic achievement. Behavioural ratings by teachers indicated more adjustment difficulties for retained children, while parent ratings of behaviour showed a similar high level of problems for short children regardless of retention status. Although both groups of children possessed average intellectual abilities, the retained children obtained lower IQ scores than the never retained children. In summary, a majority of short children were achieving appropriate grade levels, but a substantial minority were experiencing under-achievement, behaviour problems, and grade retention, despite average intelligence.