Study finds early grade repetition can improve long-term learning outcomes

A new study from Stellenbosch University has revealed that students who repeat a grade may end up doing better in the long run.

The research found that repeating Grade 1 or Grade 4 can lead to significant and lasting improvements in learning outcomes for struggling pupils.

Data from primary school learners across six provinces were analysed and compared, examining those who narrowly failed to progress to the next grade with those who just passed.

The findings show that learners who repeated early grades demonstrated marked gains in language and mathematics, with benefits lasting several years.

Ros Clayton from Stellenbosch University’s Research on Socio-Economic Policy (RESEP) Group acknowledges that grade repetition has generally been viewed negatively.

“A lot of the evidence up until the early 2000s also supported that view.”

However, Clayton says much of that research has since been challenged, thanks to improved research techniques.

“Over the last few decades, we have found positive effects of repetition.”

She explains that these more advanced techniques focus specifically on threshold learners, those who have just managed to pass or have narrowly failed to secure a pass.

“What we are finding is that repeaters who just fail and repeat the grade subsequently do much better than learners who only just passed and were promoted.”

To listen to Ros Clayton in conversation with CapeTalk's Clarence Ford, click audio below