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This new edition of Light's Retention Scale updates a classic tool designed by a school psychologist with more than 30 years in practice. This 5th edition is based on more than 300 research studies on the factors influencing academic achievement and success, and on the impact and effectiveness of school grade retention. These studies are discussed in the Manual, along with a review of the influence of US federal and state education legislation on the factors relating to academic progress and retention.
An analysis of the relevant research studies led to formulation of 19 categories representing factors to consider in making the retention decision. They include intellectual skills, number of schools attended, age, English-language status, participation of parents in school-related activities, preschool experience, student's motivation, attendance, emotional disorders, and conduct patterns.
The research-based LRS-5 is appropriate to use within Response to Intervention (RTI) approaches.
Improvements in the 5th edition include:
Administration and Scoring
The LRS-5 scale is designed to be completed during a parent-teacher conference. The Record Form outlines each of the 19 factors with objective, easy-to-score items. The scale takes 10–15 minutes to complete, and the total score provides guidance about whether grade retention might be helpful or harmful to the student.
The LRS-5 Parent Guide explains the basis for making the retention/no-retention decision. It provides a concise statement of the factors considered and provides parents with assurance that the retention recommendation is based on thoughtful professional findings. This guide is also available in Spanish but must be ordered separately.
Some of the topics discussed in The Principal's Guide to Grade Retention and Promotion (included in the test kit) are:
