If I’m reading this right the PA rule just affects 8th grade. Which to me then would mean some parents/kids will just take the same step in 7th grade instead.
I think it would curb the issue a lot better to have it say anytime in MS (7-8, really even 6th) when being held back was at the request of parents rather than a school decision based on being majorly behind on grade level skills (not just lack effort causing poor grades). Also, they may consider putting a watch on any kid pulled from regular school and going with the “grey area” homeschool for a few years. Those programs don’t always advance grades at the same time period as regular schools so could be a possible loop hole in this rule. Finally, I’m not sure if there was a thought on age consideration here but most kids without a serious cognitive issue hindering their learning ability likely shouldn’t be entering their freshman year two ages above the average freshman age.
Holding a kid back in elementary due behavioral based maturity issues and/or educational growth concerns does occur occasionally. But those are mostly over the students future educational needs which the school likely has also noted, as well. That a different situation to me than a parent waiting until MS to hold a child back and there is no major learning based concerns the school (again skill ability not lack of effort).
And sure you may see a few over zealous elementary parents still try to gain an athletic advantage by holding their kid back in 5th grade due to athletics, but not near to the extent we are starting to see as they go through MS.