You've been informed that your child isn't working up to grade level and may need to be kept back in the same grade during the coming year. What should you do?
Repeating grades has been an important administrative tool for dealing with late bloomer, underachievers, and misfits of all kinds for decades. However, research suggests that repeating grades may be ineffective in helping many children and may, in fact, be harmful for some kids. The National Association for School Psychologists has gone on record as being against grades, citing studies showing that retention can negatively affect achievement, social-emotional adjustment and attitudes toward school.
If your child is in kindergarten, then repeating a grade may be helpful to him or her in buying more time until he or she ready for academics. However, from first grade on, regard a school's recommendation of repeating grades with suspicion and take with the school psychologist about its potential impact on your child's growth.
For more information, write:
National Association of School Psychologists
4340 East West Highway #402
Bethesda, MD 20814