Should I hold my child 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.

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.

Should I let my 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.

Is it better to hold your kid back?

Research shows that retention isn't the best plan for most kids. Academics are only one thing to think about when considering retention. You can talk to your child's school about all the options before making a decision.

Does grade retention make a difference?

The long-run effects of early grade retention are not 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.

Is Holding Back Your Child Fair?

What are the negatives of grade retention?

Holding students back lowers their self-esteem and makes them feel inferior, in effect perpetuating their failure. Read more about the Matthew Effect. Retention impairs peer relationships, cutting off friendships made through the year and subjecting grade-repeating students to ridicule and bullying.

What are the negatives of retention in school?

High-profile meta-analyses based on these studies concluded that grade retention was associated with poorer academic outcomes (including higher dropout rates) and greater risk of behavioral issues.

At what age should you stop holding your child?

18 Months to 4 Years

At this age, when children begin to walk on their own, parents often assume that it's time to put the sling away. But there are actually no developmental reasons to stop carrying. Children at this age usually love to be independent.

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.

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 .

Why not to repeat a grade?

Academic achievement of kids who are retained is poorer than that of peers who are promoted. 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.

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.

Does holding back students work?

Still, the researchers found that students who were retained had higher grade point averages and took fewer remedial courses in high school than students who had similar reading abilities but weren't held back. Another study found that English learners, specifically, also benefited from retention under the policy.

What subject do most students fail?

Students on campus were asked “What do you think is the most failed class?” The responses were mostly College algebra and Calculus. However, one of the most common answers was Accounting. Many students in the degree field shared their struggle with the curriculum.

What are the long term effects of grade retention?

Critics contend that retention detaches students from their peers and subjects them to social stigmatization and stress, which might negatively affect self-confidence, motivation, and interpersonal relationships (Anderson et al., 2005; Goos et al., 2021).

How many times can a child repeat the same grade?

This will depend on each State, or education rules for private schools. Assuming a student must meet certain minimum criteria to move to the next grade, then there shouldn't be a maximum number. Until the student meets the criteria the student is held back.

How do I decide to hold my child back in school?

The decision to retain or promote a student from the eighth grade should be based on the school district's criteria in its PPR policy. These criteria should include grades and other assessment measures of the student's proficiency in reading, English-language arts, and mathematics.

What happens if you get held back a grade?

If ultimately retained, the student will then repeat the entire school year's curriculum. Where it is permitted, grade retention is most common among at-risk students in early elementary school.

How do I talk to my child about repeating a grade?

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.

Can I hold my kid back a year?

It's a mutual decision. But in the other grades, parents have the right to request retention, but if the school or the district don't agree to it, that wouldn't happen. Parents cannot just request retention for their kids on their own.

What age are kids clingy?

Clinginess is often a normal part of development: From the age of about seven months to 24 months, most children go through what's known as an “attachment phase.” As babies start to crawl and walk, they treat their parents like a secure base.

Is it bad to pick up kids by their arms?

Swinging or lifting a toddler by the arm has been described by medical experts as a risky move that can lead to elbow dislocation or severe injuries. The experts explained that babies' bones are fragile and that lifting them either with one hand or with both hands can exert undue pressure on the elbow.

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.

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.

Why is low teacher retention bad?

Poor teacher retention has been shown to negatively impact students' educational achievement, according to the Learning Policy Institute.