Elementary Teacher...Please come in!

RedCherry1109 · May 2014

What makes you decide to hold a student back?

DS1 is in the first grade and his teacher is talking about hold him back, saying that if he comes back next year that he would be more mature and ahead of the other students instead of letting him go to the next grade and possibly being behind a little.

Last semester he had a 69 in Reading and English and a 85 in Math. His reading level was around 4( they go by level 1-18). She said she wanted him at a level 10 by the end of the year. Now that its the end of the year, it time to decide if I fight for him to go to the 2nd Grade or hold him back. Right now his (progress reports) math grade is a 66 but he is working on bring it back up. His Reading is a 77 and English is a 69. His reading level is a 10. He is in speech class and RT1( helps him learn to sound words out and to help with reading).

So if he was keep the same grades for this semester he would pass everything except for English, his grade would be 68). Would you hold him back?

Sorry if this is confusing!!

Cricket81 · May 2014

I guess my question would be how does he feel about school right now? If he is always feeling like things are too hard or he doesn't understand, then giving him a year to feel successful and build up that foundation might be a good thing. If he loves school as it is and feels good about himself, then I would push him along to second. Most studies show that it doesn't make a big difference for them in the long run either way.

LBeez13 · May 2014

I taught 1st and 2nd grade. Holding students back is such a difficult process. I really focused on reading when looking at that decision. If your child is really behind in their reading and phonics skills then it is hard to keep up throughout the elementary school years. The 2 students I held back in my teaching years were both students that had been progress monitored all year and I had met and talked to parents all year long so at the end of the year the parents knew that we would need to hold back because their child hasn't reached the set goals. I think it was easier to hold back in 1st grade vs 2 nd grade but this is such a tough decision. I would ask your teacher to show you beginning 2nd grade work to see where your LO will be in regards to that at the beginning of next yr. I wouldn't necessarily take the grades into as much consideration as I would just his reading level and capability! Good luck with your decision

RedCherry1109 · May 2014

Thank you Ladies. His reading has improved, I have kept in touch with his teacher weekly and are pretty much on the same page except for holding him back.

GracieL79 · May 2014

As a second grade teacher, I am always reluctant to hold a child back, since research shows that it often doesn't help. As a parent, I would look into getting more services for your child, if possible. Is there a program he can be placed in to provide him with more support, especially in reading? We a have a program in my district that is not special ed, but basic skills, mainly done in the classroom with another teacher. I would see if this is an option for your child before deciding to hold him back.

RedCherry1109 · May 2014

GracieL79

GracieL79 · May 2014

It sounds like the school dristrict is providing great support for your son, and they are really doing everything they can. This is going to be a tough decision!!

Cricket81 · May 2014

Regardless of the decision, you might consider looking for a summer program or tutor so that he doesn't backslide too much over the summer break.

RedCherry1109 · May 2014

@vasc there will be a meeting later this month. School doesn't get out til June 7th. @Cricket81‌ I'm definitely going to work with him this summer, already got some work books for him! Thanks ladies, have have been helpful!!

cynthia071173 · May 2014

I teach Kindergarten and we have found that retaining can be necessary and especially in the early years can really help a student gain better ground and feel more confident for later on. Content standards (particularly Common Core) are so demanding now and that extra year can really make a difference. If your child is low or even low middle level, an extra year could put the child in a place of excelling or at least meeting grade level at a higher place. Also, maturity can be a factor to how well your child is doing and with maturity, we have found that students really can improve academically a great deal but ultimately it is the parents' decision. You need to do what you feel is best for your child.

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