Should a child repeat a grade?

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 students be held back a grade?

For later grades, the research is fairly clear. Multiple studies have found that holding back middle schoolers increases their odds of dropping out of high school. “The evidence on retaining students in the later grades — I think that's unambiguously negative,” said Winters.

Why is repeating a grade important?

Kids who are much younger than grade-level peers and who have a history of struggling academically can benefit from repeating a grade. It can be a better fit emotionally and age-wise. Kids who are already the oldest in their grade will be almost two years older than the rest of the class.

Does repeating a grade look bad to colleges?

For the most part, colleges don't mind if you repeat a grade or have to take a year off in high school, but the answer could depend on the colleges you're interested in. For more competitive colleges, the admissions team is going to be stricter about who they let attend their school and may have different standards.

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 My Child Repeat 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.

Why not to repeat a grade?

How common is it to repeat a grade?

Seven percent of U.S. kids between age 6 and 17 had repeated a grade. In 2015–2016, 7% of U.S. kids between the ages of 6 and 17 — 3. 4 million children total — had repeated one or more grades since starting kindergarten. The likelihood that students are held back varies by location.

How does failing a grade affect a child?

Grade failure causes children to be older than their same-grade peers, which will eventually affect their self-esteem negatively. Older high school students are more likely to report smoking regularly among other high-risk behaviors.

Does retaking a class look bad on a transcript?

Does repeating classes look bad on your transcript? Repeating a college class might not look bad on your transcript because some colleges will replace the bad grade with your new grade after you retake the class. While some colleges will show both grades on your transcript.

Should students be held back if they fail?

Critics of grade retention point out that it's expensive for schools to educate kids for an additional year. Some studies also show that holding students back may increase their likelihood of being bullied or dropping out. Those concerns are worth taking seriously.

How many times can a child repeat a grade?

Is there a law or policy regarding the number of times a student can be retained? There is nothing in the EC that prohibits school districts from retaining a child in more than one grade.

Can you ask for your child to repeat a grade?

The parents can request that their child repeat a grade, but ultimately it's the school's decision.

What grade do most kids get held back?

Most retentions occur in elementary school. Historically, roughly 5 percent of students in the first through the third grade repeated their grade, according to Child Trends.

What is the most common grade to get held back?

Approximately 5% of first through third graders in the U.S. get held back a grade. 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.

Should I hold my son 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.

Why students should not be retained?

Most children do not "catch up" when held back. Although some retained students do better at first, these children often fall behind again in later grades. Students who are held back tend to get into trouble, dislike school, and feel badly about themselves more often than children who go on to the next grade.

Should I punish my kid for bad grades?

Punishing them for bad grades is not going to encourage them. Studies have proven it doesn't work. They need to understand that learning in school is for them, not you. And that they are totally capable of learning and achieving.

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 OK to get a bad grade once?

The best way to gauge how colleges might look at your grades is just to look at your GPA vs. average GPAs for that school. As a rule of thumb, one bad grade won't tank your chances in most places, though a D might substantially lower your GPA because it's adding such a low number to the average.

Does retention help struggling students?

Evidence suggests that grade retention in middle or high school typically leads to worse educational outcomes, with little or no effect on academic achievement and higher levels of student disengagement.

What are the disadvantages of holding a child back from kindergarten?

A large body of research has indicated that holding a child back in school is associated with poorer academic outcomes and little social-emotional benefit. While some studies have found short-term social and academic benefits of grade retention, many of these effects fade after a few years.

Is it shameful to repeat a grade?

Being held back does not mean that you are stupid or a bad student. It simply means that you need some more time to reach the benchmarks of that specific grade. Remember that your parents and teachers decided to hold you back because they want what's best for you, not because they want to punish you.

Does repeating a grade affect GPA?

Repeating Coursework

A course may be repeated only once. Although only the second grade earned (for better or worse) will be computed into your GPA, both grades will remain on your transcript.

Can a child with IEP repeat a grade?

Yes, students with disabilities can be retained; however, careful consideration in the development and implementation of the student's individualized education program (IEP) should prevent student failure in most cases.