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Teacher wants my 1st grader to repaet because he is "young". I disagree. How do I get what is right for my child?

He made the cut-off for K by a week, so he is "young", however he is excellent in Math and has mastered those skills and is in a low but in the range reading group. I feel that retention will hurt is social growth and not challenge him academically. The popular feeling in the township is to hold kids back. I feel that this gives kids a false sense of worth. (My son would look Brilliant if you put him in a Kindergarten class! Why not put your struggling 4th grader in 2nd grade and he'll look like a genius there too?) But I can't seem to convince the public school to honor my wishes. I don't believe I'm doing my son harm, I think it will do him good.

I would be convinced of the opposing position if I could find any teens or adults who have been held back to tell me that the experience was positive and made them a better person. Anyone?

Question applies to ages: 6

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avatarRebecca
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Top 5 in: Discipline, Transitions and Readiness, Motivating StudentsTop 5 in 3 Topics		 Your son is performing at or above grade expectations academically and the school still wants to retain him? Are there major behavioral issues? You should find out exactly what the school's rationale is before trying to work through this decision.

My daughter is the youngest in her class. Her preschool teacher advised us not to start her in kindergarten, but she was bright and we felt she was ready. Now in 4th grade, she performs at the top of her class in some subjects, and is challenged by others--just as I would hope. I believe she would be bored and not appropriately challenged at the next grade down, especially if asked to repeat a year's worth of material!

I would meet with school officials and make them heartily defend their position before making the drastic decision to hold back an academically performing child. Good luck!

References:
Start magazine editor
Mother of two
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avatarLiz
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Financial Aid for College # of Thumbs Up Received (1)		 I wasn't held back but over the years, a number of friends' children were, for the same reason -- they were somewhat immature for the average kid in that grade level. The reasoning is that the gap increases a bit over the next few years and the "young" child will be at an increasing disadvantage. Sometimes, holding a child back isn't only about academic abilities but also about social skills and maturity and I suppose, even size plays into it when you're considering an almost-too-young-for-the grade level child.

The children whom I know that were held back for social reasons thrived when they weren't at the disadvantage of being "the baby" of the class or unable to keep up with their classmates' social and physical development. And yes, they ended up having a bit of an academic edge but there is surely no harm in that side effect!

If you feel so strongly about this, you should set up a conference with your son's teacher, the school principal, and the school counselor/psychologist to discuss the matter and come to a decision that is best for your son.

Best of luck!
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