Does holding kids back a grade help?

Recent research shows that, for the most part, holding kids back a grade isn't the best practice. The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) reports that some kids do better in school the first year or two after being held back. But it also says that this effect doesn't last.

Is it beneficial to hold a child back a grade?

Holding a student back may create significantly more issues than solutions. Even though research says that student retention is ineffective and could even be harmful, some schools still believe that making children repeat grades is a good idea.

Is retaining a student a good idea?

Answer: Yes. Several recent studies have found that retention in elementary school can be beneficial for students in improving middle school outcomes when the students most likely to benefit are identified and retention is paired with appropriate instructional supports.

Is it better to hold a child back in kindergarten or first grade?

Based on this research, most clinicians and educators advise parents to avoid holding children back in a grade unless there is no other option. If your child's school is pushing for it, present them with the research and see if you can discuss other possible options.

Is repeating a grade beneficial?

Ideally, no. Repeating a grade―also known as "grade retention" ―has not been shown to help children learn. Children won't outgrow learning and attention issues by repeating a grade. In fact, repeating a grade may contribute to long-term issues with low self-esteem, as well as emotional or social difficulties.

Should you hold your child back a grade?

What are the downsides of repeating a grade?

Repeating a grade prior to entering high school increases the chance of a student dropping out. Students of color are at the greatest risk of being retained in any community — urban, suburban, or rural. Achievement gains associated with retention fade within two to three years after the grade repeated.

Is it shameful to repeat a grade?

No one wants to repeat a grade, but if this happens to you, you're not the only one. Repeating a grade can be the right thing, though, because you get another chance to complete the work and learn what you need to know to do well when you do move up to the next grade.

What percentage of kindergarteners are held back?

For those years, 3,201 kindergarten students were retained, or 4% of the total; in first grade, 1,494 students were retained, or 1.9% of the total. In actual student numbers, those held back increased 36% in 2021-22 for first grade (up 547 students) and 13.9% for kindergarten (up 445 students).

Can you move up a grade after being held back?

It can happen and occasionally does. Sometimes a student is retained for one reason or another and then gets up to speed and they are at the level of the next grade level. So they will bump the student back up a grade if the school and parents agree upon it.

Is it OK for a child to repeat kindergarten?

According to EC Section 48011, a child may not continue in kindergarten for more than one year past the year he or she first attended kindergarten.

Why don t schools hold kids back anymore?

Retaining students, regardless of the grade at which they are retained, increases the likelihood that they will drop out of school. Consistent with the Chicago findings, the advantage for retained students declined each year and disappeared altogether after three years.

What are the cons of retaining students?

When should you hold a student back a grade?

When kids haven't built the academic skills needed for the next grade, the school may advise holding them back. The idea is that an extra year will help them catch up.

Why do parents hold kids back in school?

This practice, called academic redshirting , is intended to give students another year to mature emotionally, academically, or physically before starting kindergarten. Experts said it's become increasingly popular among upper middle class, college-educated parents .

What are the negative effects of retention?

In some cases, the consequences of retention affect students of color more than their white peers, too. One recent study found that being held back in elementary grades increases the odds of dropping out of high school, and that these effects were strongest for Black and Latino girls.

Why would someone get held back a grade?

Common Reasons Children Get Held Back in School

The goal is to give the child a second chance at a grade they found challenging, so they can be better equipped in years to come. The reasoning behind grade retention may be based on maturity, behavior, absences, academic performance, or any number of factors.

What are the benefits of grade retention?

Retaining students based on reading proficiency can produce large improvements in academic performance when compared to grade-level peers. Retention is not an academic death sentence. In fact, it can lead to better preparation when entering high school.

What to do if your child gets held back?

If your child gets held back a grade in school, it's important to approach the situation with empathy and understanding. You can reassure them that everyone learns and progresses at their own pace, and that it's okay to take the time they need to fully understand the material.

Why do kindergarteners get held back?

Kindergartners can be held back if they don't meet the standards and/or struggle in the classroom. Being held back on kindergarten is better than being held back in the later grades.

Is it OK to start kindergarten at 6 years old?

Districts must admit children at the beginning of the school year (or whenever they move into a district) if they will be five years of age on or before September 1 (EC Section 48000[a]). Children who are age-eligible for kindergarten may attend any pre-kindergarten summer program maintained by the school district.

Is it common to be held back in kindergarten?

Not as common as it should be. Kids are typically admitted to kindergarden based on age. Age is a very bad way to determine if a child is ready for the full on academic experience and more so for the full on social emotional experience of school. (It's easier to catch up later academically than social emotionally.)

What grade is best to repeat?

The simple answer is… as early as possible. Repeating kindergarten or preschool is a lot less stressful for a child than repeating a class in primary school. Repeating a grade in elementary/primary is much less stressful than repeating in the higher grades.

Should failing students be held back a grade?

Recent research shows that, for the most part, holding kids back a grade isn't the best practice. The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) reports that some kids do better in school the first year or two after being held back. But it also says that this effect doesn't last.

How do you decide if your child should repeat a grade?

The biggest factors to consider when deciding whether to promote or retain a child in school are the child's academic progress and level of maturity. Many school districts have developed tests to evaluate these factors, but as a parent you may wish to consider your child's abilities as well.