Is it true, parents can refuse their child from being withheld in Kindergarten?

Question

Reason being, my childs school is trying to retain my son and hearsay is that I can refuse this request. I need to know if anyone knows if this is true? If parents have the last say so or not?

Answer 1

It varies by state. In California the parent can refuse retention in Kindergarten and First grade, but once they hit second grade it is no longer the parents decision.

Answer 2

In most states Kindergarten is not a requirement, thus you can refuse to hold your child back based on their request. But at least seriously look at why they made the request. If your child is not doing well socially or not grasping the rudimentry tasks that kindergarten exposed them too then he may not be ready for 1st grade where your child will be expected to perform these tasks and expand upon them. this could lead to a lifetime of him trying to keep up and getting frustrated. While leaving your child back at this time would not adversely affect him (and certainly not as much as having to keep your child back later on in his academic career) it will certainly give your child an edge in motor skills and development. One other thing you must consider, most school districts have a policy the age of first graders, if your child does not fall into the age cutoff then you are definitely keeping him back.

Answer 3

i think it varies from state to state. if they truely feel he should be held back and you are strongly against it, they could take it to the school board and it cold go to hearing with them. it is an option to attend kindergarten in most areas but once they are of first grade age and they are not ready for it, the school dist. can usually insist that they attend the grade lower. find out why they think he needs to be held back. it could be to his advantage. had i known i could hold my son back in kindergarten, i would have. he struggled all the way through school.