Many parents are understandably confused when it comes to child development stages and knowing whether their student is ready for the next grade level in school. Each school system, and sometimes each school, has its own criteria for determining whether or not a child is retained.
Here are some things teachers and parents may look at:
Academic
- Has the student met the required percentage of goals and objectives for each of the K12 grades completed? Goals vary from district to district, but your school should be able to show you what theirs are.
- Is the child reading, both at home and at school? If the child is too young to read, can he understand and answer questions about the stories read to him?
- Does the child lack connection with the school?
- Does the child consistently have poor grades?
- Does she finish and understand her homework?
- Is the child learning with disabilities? Has he been tested?
- Does your child have any goals to set him up for success, or know what he wants to be when he grows up?
Emotional
- Does the child work well alone and with others?
- Does he hate to get up and go to school?
- Has she learned to cooperate and work in a team?
- Has she learned to finish tasks and follow through?
- Can he follow simple instructions?
- Does your child try new things?
- Has he learned self-control?
- Does your child have behavior problems?
If your answers suggest a number of concerns, retention at your child's current grade level may give her time to master concepts and mature. Discuss your chld's specific needs with your child's teacher. Be sure to get advice on how to keep learning alive through the summer too.
Sherry H. Bowen is a school media specialist, free-lance writer and parent in Buford, Georgia.