Should I hold my son back in first 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.

Should a child be held back in first grade?

Having a child repeat kindergarten or first grade is generally fine, but by second grade it really affects self esteem. If she is consistently functioning at a C level, there are much more effective ways to help her to blossom academically.

Should my child repeat 1st 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 good to hold kids back grade retention?

Retention studies

Grade retention is one of the most powerful predictors of high school dropout. In adolescence, retained students are more likely to experience problems such as poor interactions with peers, disliking school, behavior problems, and lower self-esteem.

Should a 7 year old be in 1st grade?

A child should be seven years of age for much of first grade. If her birthday is in the winter she should turn 7 in first grade, thus having half the year as a 6 year-old and half as a 7 year-old. One does not want a child turning 8 in first grade.

Should I Hold My Child Back In School? | Making The Hard Choice with Dr. Paul

Is 8 too old for first grade?

Some kids don't start kindergarten until 6, so they are typically 7 in 1st grade, but if they were held back in either kindergarten or 1st, it would make sense for them to be 8 in 1st. I was that kid growing up (7–8) Things turned out relatively normal for the most part.

Can kids fail 1st grade?

Retention in first grade, the topic of this study, is a clear indicator of early school failure. When a child fails to master grade-level skills, schools have to decide whether to pass the student to the next grade (social promotion) or to retain the student in the grade for a second year.

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.

Is grade retention harmful to children?

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

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.

What are the cons of grade retention?

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. [2] However, the studies included in these meta-analyses were mostly correlational rather than causal.

When should you retain a first grader?

A child may be considered for retention if he or she has poor academic skills, is small in stature or the youngest in the grade, has moved or been absent frequently, does poorly on a prescreening assessment, or has limited English-language skills.

Why do people repeat the first grade?

For kids who are developmentally immature (either physically or emotionally), repeating a grade may reduce the stress of trying to “keep up.” For kids who are physically large for their age, repeating a grade can make them stand out more.

Is it a choice to get held back?

Usually the school will advise the parents to consider holding the child back unless they can catch up to where their peers are. However if the parents feel like the child isn't ready for the next grade level they can request to hold the child back.

Why is first grade so important?

Most critical in first grade is the development of reading and writing skills. Your child will move from pre-reading skills to building crucial language skills in reading, spelling and writing.

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.

Should failing students be held back?

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.

Does holding kids back work?

Grade retention, also known as holding kids back or repeating a grade is a controversial practice. A child may not seem ready to advance to the next grade. Kids who get held back, however, tend not to do any better by repeating a grade.

Why students should not be retained?

Jimerson looked at 20 studies published between 1990 and 1999, and concluded that they “fail to demonstrate that grade retention provides greater benefits to students with academic or adjustment difficulties than does promotion to the next grade.” In many studies, students who were retained had worse academic ...

What are the pros of repeating a grade?

Can I make my child repeat a grade?

Generally, parents can ask for children to be held back, but the final decision is up to principals, who make decisions based on factors including academic progress. California and New Jersey also passed laws that made it easier for parents to demand their children repeat a grade, although the option was only available ...

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).

Why students should not repeat a grade?

Unfortunately, forcing a child to repeat a grade typically causes more problems than it solves. Students who have been required to repeat a grade are more likely to have confidence issues and social issues moving forward. They're far more likely to give up on school or even drop out altogether.

Why is first grade so hard?

There are a lot of new things happening in your child's life: their school day is longer, their friendships are getting more complicated, and their academic lives are demanding in a major way for the first time. This is also the time when you are most likely to start noticing any learning differences and challenges.

Are first grade grades important?

Elementary school grades matter because they reflect a student's skill and comprehension levels. If a child is getting lower grades during this time, it's something to keep in mind, but not get too concerned about. Children in the early years of elementary school are just starting to learn how to… well, learn!

Should I let my child fail a grade?

It's not OK to let kids fail if it could cause danger to their physical or emotional health. Avoid putting kids in situations where the odds are stacked against them. For example, if they haven't had a chance to prepare or if they don't have the same resources as others to succeed.