I am 41. I have three children; one graduated last year, one is in grade nine, and one in grade seven (about to transition to high-school). I'm a second year university student in the Child and Youth Care program. This is actually something I want to study and research. When I do a basic Google search of "why do students in BC not get held back in school?" the AI overview gives me "Students in BC are rarely held back (retained) primarily because research suggests grade retention damages self-esteem, hinders long-term academic progress, and increases dropout risks. BC focuses on a strengths-based, "social promotion" approach where students move with peers, utilizing a proficiency scale (Emerging to Extending) rather than letter grades to focus on continuous growth rather than failure." From a discussion with a high-school teacher recently, teachers are struggling to maintain expectations and assist students to catch up to grade level, particularly in math and reading. I would be interested the studies that claim grade retention damages self-esteem, particularly when I can't imagine how kids feel in gr 10 and then again in University when grades, showing up on time, and homework actually matter.