We evaluate the impact of non-retention policies over the distribution of academic achievement of elementary Brazilian public schools students. Results suggest a weak correlation between the adoption of non-retention policies and the academic achievement. However, in the opposite direction, readopting grade repetition showed a positive impact on 4th grade math students over the entire distribution. In general, we may say that grade repetition does not seem to increase students' efforts, especially in older students.
Education; Non Retention; Academic Achievement
