Should I retain my child in first 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 I hold my child back in 1st grade?

The weight of the evidence of literally hundreds of studies shows that retaining children does not produce higher achievement. Rather than flunking students, schools should provide high quality instruction for children who find learning difficult.

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.

Should a 7 year old be in 1st grade?

First Grade, typically for students aged 6-7 years old, is the first required year of school for students. First graders build on and refine the skills that are taught in kindergarten. Students in this grade will develop more independence academically and socially but still require emotional support and approval.

Is it better to repeat kindergarten or first grade?

The data also suggests that in spite of having all these resources and manpower, kids who repeat kindergarten don't do as well as their first or second grade classmates once they make it into those grades. In one study, researchers associated this poor academic performance with repeating kindergarten.

Is Holding Back Your Child Fair?

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.

Can a child 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.

Is 8 too old for 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.

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.

Is 6 too old for kindergarten?

No. Pursuant to EC 48000(a), a child is eligible for kindergarten if the child will have his or her fifth birthday by September 1.

What are the cons of retaining students?

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 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.

Why would a 1st grader be held back?

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.

Is it better to be the youngest or oldest in school?

Studies show that older students often outperform their younger peers in the early years, but the older kids typically lose their advantage in the long run. In fact, some research shows that the younger students who have to strive to keep up with the older kids ultimately become more successful.

What should a child know at the end of first grade?

Education experts say that, by the end of first grade, a student can count, read, write and sequence numbers up to 100. They also learn how to compare numbers using the symbols for greater than, less than and equal.

Why shouldn t school start at 8?

Countless studies have shown that early school start times are associated with students getting less sleep, which negatively affects student academic performance. Students with less sleep have difficulty paying attention in class and are likely to have lower grades.

Can I hold my child back a year at school?

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.

Can you fail 2nd grade?

Most elementary school grades (kindergarten through 5th grade) are taught all subjects in one classroom for the whole day, with exceptions in art and athletics. In these grades, the student who fails or scores below the accepted level in most or all subjects is to be considered for retention.

Is it possible to repeat first grade?

Repeating kindergarten, preschool or even the first or second grade is often not a big deal and life goes on. If the problems are ignored and a repeat becomes necessary 3 or 4 years later, that becomes a difficult experience for a child. Usually, problems tend to compound when not sorted early.

Is 15 too old for 8th grade?

Not necessarily bad, but unusual in the U.S. where 8th graders are usually about 13 years old and 15 year olds are usually in the 10th grade. The reasons for being 15 and in the 8th grade are wide and vary with each individual.

What subject do kids fail the most?

The percentage of failures for those who attended classes at least 80% of the time were 20% for math, 12% for science, 11% for social studies, and 9% for English, the figures show.

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.

Is 1st grade hard?

“Grade one can be tough for a lot of kids,” says Jane Garland, a child psychiatrist at BC Children's Hospital in Vancouver. As kids are transitioning out of a more play-based environment into one where they're expected to spend long periods at a desk, you can expect a bit of pushback.