Bart Gets an "F"/References

References/Trivia

Cultural references

Treasure Island: Bart reads it.
McGraw-Hill: Treasure Island is published by them.
The Old Man and the Sea: Martin reads it and recounts to the class in a first person narrative in an oral report. However, Martin wears an Ernest Hemingway costume. The protagonist of The Old Man and the Sea was an elderly man named Santiago.
King Kong: The 'gorilla film' is a spoof.
Gone with the Wind: Bart says 'With God as my witness..."
How the Grinch Stole Christmas: The people of Sprinfield stand in a circle.
Lisa observing Bart's prayer and saying to herself "Prayer; the last refuge of a scoundrel" is a variation of the saying "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel."

In Bart's fantasy about the snowy 4th of July, Benjamin Franklin's sled says Don't Sled on Me, a play on the famous serpent flag "Don't Tread on Me."
Despite passing the fourth grade, Bart, of course, remains in Mrs. Krabappel's class in all subsequent episodes, since virtually no time ever really passes on the show.
During the episode Bart writes "I will not fake my way through life" on the chalkboard.
The idea behind the grade on the refrigerator would reappear in Bart's Nightmare where a letter grade would appear and the mood of the Simpson family would differ, with a scene similar to the ultimate scene in "Bart Gets an F"
Milhouse' voice appears deeper.
When Homer askes Lisa what she wants, she says "An absence of moodswings." Since Lisa is only eight years, this should not affect her yet.

This is Mayor Quimby's first appearance.
This is the first episode with the show opening used between Season 2 to mid-twenty.