Social promotion and retention have both been used in education as a method to help low-performing students catch up with their peers. Although both strategies are used with good intentions, research has shown that neither strategy actually helps a student succeed in their educational career. This leaves one wondering if neither social promotion nor retention is the right answer, then what is the best answer for a lower-performing student who is not ready for the next grade level. “Social promotion is the practice of promoting students to the next level even if they have not acquired the minimum skills expected for that level” (Aldridge, 2014). This practice can be a problem not only for students, but also for teachers and parents. When professors found that they had to lower their standards to help students who were not prepared for academic work. In the business world, funds can be used to re-educate students who lack the skills needed to succeed in the job market. Social promotion is a widespread practice that is now being questioned and eliminated by many school districts. “Districts implement policies to eliminate or significantly restrict the practice of welfare promotion due to its negative short- and long-term effects… while at the same time providing manageable, cost-effective programs that promote positive success students” (Alridge, 2014). . Retention is the practice of giving a student time off in the hope that academic improvements will occur during the year the student is retained. “Retention rates have increased significantly with the recent school reform movement that has emphasized grade-level performance, grade-level testing to determine promotion or retention, and an end to social promotion. » (NASP). The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) states that the highest retention rates are among poor, minority, and inner-city youth. Those most at risk for retention include black or Hispanic males, late birthdays and developments, people living in poverty or in single-parent households, frequent school changes, or truancy. “There is no single miracle intervention that will effectively address the specific needs of children. low performing students” (NASP). However, there are evidence-based alternatives to grade retention and social promotion. “Recent research and practice indicate that alternative strategies, which address the root causes of underachievement, offer real hope for helping all students succeed” (Johnson). Some examples of effective alternative strategies to social promotion and retention include intervening early in a child's educational journey, increasing parental involvement, intensifying learning opportunities, providing meaningful professional development opportunities to ensure highly qualified and qualified teachers, to assess students in a way that provides accurate and meaningful data. to teachers and expand learning options through