pros and cons of retaining a child in 1st grade because of young age?

Question

Anyone with opinions on retaining a child because of age, and being "behind" in learning with NO learning problems(dsylexia, add,etc.)

Answer 1

Are you asking for the pros and cons of retaining a 1st grade child based on his young age and his below standards academic ability? If I understnd your question correctly, please allow me to share my thoughts.

A 1st grade student who is not performing at grade level, who is "behind" in learning, and who has NOT been diagnosed with any type of learning disabilities, would have a higher chance of becoming a grade level student, if he were retained in 1st grade. This is a crucial time in a child's education and if the basic concepts of reading, writing, speaking, and math are not confidently grasped by the child, then it would be important for him to make sure he gets the support and interventions now and at the level he is capable of performing. Keep in mind, this is not usually the case for students disignated with a learning need. If a child is performing at grade level and is younger than the average children in his class, he should still be promoted to 2nd because his academic ability is equal with his peers.

I have to make this type of decision yearly as I am a 2nd grade teacher. Teachers undoubtedly struggle to make the best decision for each child who passes their path. In a way, one might feel that if a teacher retains a student then it was the teacher who failed at teaching. But in most cases, students were not cognitively and developmentally ready to grasp the concepts instructed to them. No one failed. It just may take other kids a bit more time to be exposed to these fairly new concepts.

There are no benefits on promoting a child who is not prepared academically for the next level if he shows signs of being successful (positive attitude, supportive home life, mature behavior and strong school/home team) the repeated grade. I have retained 4 students in 2nd grade during the last 6 years of my teaching. All have moved on to their next grade level meeting standards. Following their learning over the years, 3 out of the 4 are currently at grade level. The other is approaching grade level and was tested only to find out she did have a behavorial disability, resulting in her high immaturity.

I have promoted students who were not at grade level but who have already been retained in a previous grade. All of them had some type of learning disability and therefore qualified for an IEP. Although I was concerned about their upcoming year being behind in understanding, special needs students are given a modified learning plan and should be promoted in my district. I do not necessarily agree with that procedure but I am required to follow it.

Bottom line for me is that I would retain a child based on his ability to succeed in the repeated grade which would make him proficient to move on to the next level. I would not promote a child who was performing below standards even if he was older than his peers. Likewise I would not retain a child who is younger than his classmates and able to perform at grade level.

Answer 2

a child should be able to work at their own level of competancy regardless of age. A lot of emphasis is put on age and age socialization at school but in life people need to learn to relate to others regardless of age, gender and social background.
If this child is able to work at a second grade level then by all means he/ she should be able to move on to second grade- age should not be an issue. If the child is behind academically and would not be able to catch up or keep up then they should stay in first grade - either way age should not ever be an issue, especially one year age difference is not going to make a difference in socialization skills or issues- this child should be given the opportunity to work at his or her level of competance otherwise they will become bored if kept behind or overwhelmed if advanced too quickly.

Answer 3

If the child is socially and academically on level with what they should be to proceed to the next grade, I don't think they should be held back because of age. It's not fair to the child, and in hgiher grades, age doesn't really matter much.