OT - Kindergarten for my 4 yo this September

[princessmom29]

I believe 100% in redshirting, 3 out of my 4 were, and the 4 will be in the next couple years.

My question to you is why you would think its okay for ANY teacher to ignore the needs of ANY child due to their birthday? I have a friend who put their daughter into kindergarten, although the school, preschool told her over and over she was not ready (birthday is 2 days before the cutoff). She didn't know the basics. She is technically legitimally in kindergarten, and has struggled on a daily basis, still past mid year she has trouble writting her name. Do you deny this child any help? Although a extra year home would of benefited her 100%? All children deserve any help they need, it may be to challenge them more, it may be to help them catch up, but you would deny a child that help because of when their birthday is?

I am 100% happy with our familys choice to redshirt out kids. We did not do it so they would have an edge, because lets face it those 10 days they have over the other kids in the class, wow, lots of life experience they have packed into those 10 days. I was not comfortable sending my 4 year old to kindergarten. Every single teacher we talked to, right up to the principal suggested redshirting.

Kindergarten is like 1 grade used to be, thats a fact. Our kindergarteners read mid year. Why would I push my child in, knowing they would struggle for the good of the class???? I did what was best for MY child, and THEIR education. I don't give a hoot what you do for you kid, I care about MY child not struggling through school, and doing the best they can. And if you say you would sacrifice your child for the good of the class, well, I think you are full of bull.

Every child does deserve the help they need, but I don't think any parent should have the right to put the teacher in a situation where she has to provide for an even wider range of ages and abilities by holding a child who is capable of being in K out a year to gain an advantage. By doing so they are effectively denying someone else's child the help they need because thier child is now ahead of the game and needs enrichment. There are only so many hours in the day for the teacher to get to everyone. When all of the children are on the same level, everyone benefits more from the instruction given. In my poinion holding your fully campable child out to gain an edge is a sneaky, underhanded abuse of the system. You can think I am full of bull all you want, but I do consider how my actions affect others. Even when the choice is a difficult one. I don't understand why that is such a difficult concept. I know many people who were raised that way, and think the same way I do. I was taught that being self centered and self serving was a bad thing. Why is that so unfathomable??? I don't think it is fair to assume someone is lying when you wouldn't or couldn't do the same yourself. I don't teach my child to look out for number one , but that everyone deserves a fair chance. It would be hypocritical of me to tell her that and do something else.
Redshirting a child who is that close to the cutoff and redshirting a 5 1/2 year old are two different situations. 10 days is not a big deal. 6-12 months is. That is my issue with readshirting. Not holding an iffy child who is right at the cutoff out, but holding and obviously ready child who is well past the cutoff out. I think having a 7 year old in K is a definite problem, unless they have a developmental delay. Do all 4 of your children have the same birthday, to all be 10 days from the cutoff, or has the cutoff date changed??

 

[brymolmom]

I believe 100% in redshirting, 3 out of my 4 were, and the 4 will be in the next couple years.

My question to you is why you would think its okay for ANY teacher to ignore the needs of ANY child due to their birthday? I have a friend who put their daughter into kindergarten, although the school, preschool told her over and over she was not ready (birthday is 2 days before the cutoff). She didn't know the basics. She is technically legitimally in kindergarten, and has struggled on a daily basis, still past mid year she has trouble writting her name. Do you deny this child any help? Although a extra year home would of benefited her 100%? All children deserve any help they need, it may be to challenge them more, it may be to help them catch up, but you would deny a child that help because of when their birthday is?

I am 100% happy with our familys choice to redshirt out kids. We did not do it so they would have an edge, because lets face it those 10 days they have over the other kids in the class, wow, lots of life experience they have packed into those 10 days. I was not comfortable sending my 4 year old to kindergarten. Every single teacher we talked to, right up to the principal suggested redshirting.

Kindergarten is like 1 grade used to be, thats a fact. Our kindergarteners read mid year. Why would I push my child in, knowing they would struggle for the good of the class???? I did what was best for MY child, and THEIR education. I don't give a hoot what you do for you kid, I care about MY child not struggling through school, and doing the best they can. And if you say you would sacrifice your child for the good of the class, well, I think you are full of bull.

The teacher has a right (IMO, but isn't actually done in schools) to ignore the needs of kids who NEED TO HAVE THE NEXT YEAR'S CURRICULUM but opted instead not to have it by sending them on time. I know you don't give a hoot about me - which is why I plainly state that parental decision needs to be removed, because most parents will never have a hoot about anyone else but their own.

And I'm not talking about kids stuggling as the issue, I am talking about kids in a classroom where their parents are requesting/demanding more than that current grade curriculum even though they opted out of the higher grade challenge by sending them late. You can't let it be easy and smooth for your child by holding them back and then at the same time really want the extra challenge so they don't coast through not learning much...Cake and eating it too. Well, you can want it and many do...but that doesn't make it right.

And 10 days isn't the issue here...it is many, many months of difference. 10 days I think I could learn to accept.

 

[princessmom29]

The teacher has a right (IMO, but isn't actually done in schools) to ignore the needs of kids who NEED TO HAVE THE NEXT YEAR'S CURRICULUM but opted instead not to have it by sending them on time. I know you don't give a hoot about me - which is why I plainly state that parental decision needs to be removed, because most parents will never have a hoot about anyone else but their own.

And I'm not talking about kids stuggling as the issue, I am talking about kids in a classroom where their parents are requesting/demanding more than that current grade curriculum even though they opted out of the higher grade challenge by sending them late. You can't let it be easy and smooth for your child by holding them back and then at the same time really want the extra challenge so they don't coast through not learning much...Cake and eating it too. Well, you can want it and many do...but that doesn't make it right.

And 10 days isn't the issue here...it is many, many months of difference. 10 days I think I could learn to accept.

you said exactly what I wanted to say much better than I did!! This is exactly what I have been trying to get at.

 

[C&G'sMama]

[QUOTEAnd I'm not talking about kids stuggling as the issue, I am talking about kids in a classroom where their parents are requesting/demanding more than that current grade curriculum even though they opted out of the higher grade challenge by sending them late. You can't let it be easy and smooth for your child by holding them back and then at the same time really want the extra challenge so they don't coast through not learning much...Cake and eating it too. Well, you can want it and many do...but that doesn't make it right.
[/QUOTE]
But what about the kids that go on time and are ahead. My DS (will be 7 in April) is in 1st grade but does work at a 4th grade level in all subjects. The school won't skip him. But we have to stay on top of them to make sure he's challenged. brymolmom will understand this. We are in RCSD, but he's in a charter school (love it). In RCSD we'd have to pull him out (DD was in RCSD for 2 1/2 years). Do we expect him to just sit and wait while the other kids catch up? There are always going to be differences in levels of kids. DD is in the middle and is struggling this year (4th grade will be 10 in May), she will start Saturday school next week and we have no problem getting the help she needs. Why should DS be any different?

 

[princessmom29]

[QUOTEAnd I'm not talking about kids stuggling as the issue, I am talking about kids in a classroom where their parents are requesting/demanding more than that current grade curriculum even though they opted out of the higher grade challenge by sending them late. You can't let it be easy and smooth for your child by holding them back and then at the same time really want the extra challenge so they don't coast through not learning much...Cake and eating it too. Well, you can want it and many do...but that doesn't make it right.

But what about the kids that go on time and are ahead. My DS (will be 7 in April) is in 1st grade but does work at a 4th grade level in all subjects. The school won't skip him. But we have to stay on top of them to make sure he's challenged. brymolmom will understand this. We are in RCSD, but he's in a charter school (love it). In RCSD we'd have to pull him out (DD was in RCSD for 2 1/2 years). Do we expect him to just sit and wait while the other kids catch up? There are always going to be differences in levels of kids. DD is in the middle and is struggling this year (4th grade will be 10 in May), she will start Saturday school next week and we have no problem getting the help she needs. Why should DS be any different?

I think, at least on my part, what we are trying to say is that helping those children is enough of a struggle without a parent artifically creating a situation where their child is ahead on purpose. I think it is horrible that your school will not even consider skipping. Is there not some kind of TAG program that would be helpful??

 

[C&G'sMama]

I think, at least on my part, what we are trying to say is that helping those children is enough of a struggle without a parent artifically creating a situation where their child is ahead on purpose. I think it is horrible that your school will not even consider skipping. Is there not some kind of TAG program that would be helpful??

We love our school. but they have challenges. We're okay with them not skipping him, as long as they keep him challenged. The game plan was to have him go up to 2nd grade for math and reading in those grade's challenge groups 3 times a week but they don't really follow through. So we end up giving him homework and sending it in. Or they will give him higher level work books. but he still has all this "moning work" showing a picture of a pig and finish the word P_g what letter's missing. Quite frankly that's hours of learning time being wasted. We need to go back to the school and ask them again.

DD on the other hand, with out an IEP and not being title I will be going to Saturday school for ELA/Math and is getting counseling once a week. She's a perfectionist and doesn't finish her work and doesn't like rereading her work.

I should mention DS is an Aspie, very bright but socially challenged. We do tons outside of school to help him as far as socialization and we have DD in dance in piano to play to her Artitistic side. It's hard to be 9 and have a 6yo brother who is doing at level and higher level work than you.

I know I'm getting OT but just trying to present another side.

 

[brymolmom]

[QUOTEAnd I'm not talking about kids stuggling as the issue, I am talking about kids in a classroom where their parents are requesting/demanding more than that current grade curriculum even though they opted out of the higher grade challenge by sending them late. You can't let it be easy and smooth for your child by holding them back and then at the same time really want the extra challenge so they don't coast through not learning much...Cake and eating it too. Well, you can want it and many do...but that doesn't make it right.

But what about the kids that go on time and are ahead. My DS (will be 7 in April) is in 1st grade but does work at a 4th grade level in all subjects. The school won't skip him. But we have to stay on top of them to make sure he's challenged. brymolmom will understand this. We are in RCSD, but he's in a charter school (love it). In RCSD we'd have to pull him out (DD was in RCSD for 2 1/2 years). Do we expect him to just sit and wait while the other kids catch up? There are always going to be differences in levels of kids. DD is in the middle and is struggling this year (4th grade will be 10 in May), she will start Saturday school next week and we have no problem getting the help she needs. Why should DS be any different?[/QUOTE]


Comes back again to the bell curve...in a classroom where every student is sent on time there will be a few on the high end, most in the middle and a few on the low end. Yes, a school should be handling the needs of that child. You followed the guidelines and just have a very bright student. Redshirting hurts kids like your DS too (just as much as those on the lower end), because now that there are kids way older than him in the classroom...he might not be seen as over and above bright due to so many 'should be next graders' mucking up the bell curve.

In a natural classroom - this is usually able to be handled because there aren't too many on either end and most are somewhere in the middle. Another reason I'm against redshirting.

 

[Mickeypooh99]

But what about the kids that go on time and are ahead. My DS (will be 7 in April) is in 1st grade but does work at a 4th grade level in all subjects. The school won't skip him. But we have to stay on top of them to make sure he's challenged. brymolmom will understand this. We are in RCSD, but he's in a charter school (love it). In RCSD we'd have to pull him out (DD was in RCSD for 2 1/2 years). Do we expect him to just sit and wait while the other kids catch up? There are always going to be differences in levels of kids. DD is in the middle and is struggling this year (4th grade will be 10 in May), she will start Saturday school next week and we have no problem getting the help she needs. Why should DS be any different?

It has been my experience that teacher will ignore the needs of the child who is ahead in order to work more with the kids who are average or behind. The child who is ahead can fend for themselves. It really isn't fair to deny that child the opportunity to advance. Everyone says that it all evens out by around 3rd grade, but that is because those advanced children are just sitting around waiting for others to catch up. Give them the chance to advance, and they will.

I'm sorry your school won't grade skip. We are lucky that we didn't have any problems there. It was much easier than I had anticipated. I know one grade was not enough for my DS, but we are still giving him challenges at home that he isn't getting at school. At the beginning of each math unit he is given the opportunity to test out of it. He tests out each time, and then goes into the hall to do enrichment work during math time. That is how they handle advanced students. I don't think the teacher is spending more time with him!

 

[C&G'sMama]

But what about the kids that go on time and are ahead. My DS (will be 7 in April) is in 1st grade but does work at a 4th grade level in all subjects. The school won't skip him. But we have to stay on top of them to make sure he's challenged. brymolmom will understand this. We are in RCSD, but he's in a charter school (love it). In RCSD we'd have to pull him out (DD was in RCSD for 2 1/2 years). Do we expect him to just sit and wait while the other kids catch up? There are always going to be differences in levels of kids. DD is in the middle and is struggling this year (4th grade will be 10 in May), she will start Saturday school next week and we have no problem getting the help she needs. Why should DS be any different?

Comes back again to the bell curve...in a classroom where every student is sent on time there will be a few on the high end, most in the middle and a few on the low end. Yes, a school should be handling the needs of that child. You followed the guidelines and just have a very bright student. Redshirting hurts kids like your DS too (just as much as those on the lower end), because now that there are kids way older than him in the classroom...he might not be seen as over and above bright due to so many 'should be next graders' mucking up the bell curve.

In a natural classroom - this is usually able to be handled because there aren't too many on either end and most are somewhere in the middle. Another reason I'm against redshirting.[/QUOTE]

that's really not an issue at our school. I could see it being so in the suburbs. Unfortunately most people (not all) with really bright kids end up leaving the city but that's a whole 'nother issue.And we are not at GCCS, our school has the same demographics as RCSD.

 

[Tinkmom75]

Comes back again to the bell curve...in a classroom where every student is sent on time there will be a few on the high end, most in the middle and a few on the low end. Yes, a school should be handling the needs of that child. You followed the guidelines and just have a very bright student. Redshirting hurts kids like your DS too (just as much as those on the lower end), because now that there are kids way older than him in the classroom...he might not be seen as over and above bright due to so many 'should be next graders' mucking up the bell curve.

In a natural classroom - this is usually able to be handled because there aren't too many on either end and most are somewhere in the middle. Another reason I'm against redshirting.

that's really not an issue at our school. I could see it being so in the suburbs. Unfortunately most people (not all) with really bright kids end up leaving the city but that's a whole 'nother issue.And we are not at GCCS, our school has the same demographics as RCSD.[/QUOTE]

We kind of discussed this on an honor roll thread. When 90% of the students are on honor roll something is wrong with the demographics.

Mickeypooh's son is exception and went to school on time and should be skipped another grade. He is an extremely academically gifted boy. While I love our district for a lot of things they do not have a TAG program. They can have advanced math starting in 6th grade. We don't get funding for it or at least very little. Unfortunately, my DS was a little more "goofy" and I was met with resistance when I wanted to advance him. He quickly learned to be status quo. Even though he's read at a college level since 4th grade and has a high IQ. I would love to see students grouped according to abilities.

 

[Princess Sleepy]

It has been my experience that teacher will ignore the needs of the child who is ahead in order to work more with the kids who are average or behind. The child who is ahead can fend for themselves. It really isn't fair to deny that child the opportunity to advance. Everyone says that it all evens out by around 3rd grade, but that is because those advanced children are just sitting around waiting for others to catch up. Give them the chance to advance, and they will.

We were so worried about this happening to our DD. Her kindergarten teacher spent each conference apologizing for not being able to challenge her, so we were ready to go to battle in 1st grade. Her teacher has been AMAZING! She calls and checks in with us on a regular basis and has all sorts of ways to challenge her. She is going out of her way to make sure DD's needs are being met at least as much as those who need extra help to catch up. If this is a sign of things to come, we selected a public school well. It will be interesting to see if it is more the teacher or the school.

 

[hmacmahony]

clearly yoou and I have a different sense of what entitlement is, giving MY child the best change to achieve educationally is NOT a sense of entitlement. I am not sure how setting MY child up for a struggle is school is self centered.
My child would take up even more time had they gone into school as the youngest, because they would of needed oodles and oodle of help, then you would of been on here complaining that those kids take up all the precious learning time from your child.
No, not all my kids have the same birthday, but they all do have birthdays within 5 weeks of the cutoff date.
And for what its worth our state is changing the cutoff date to Sept 1, in the next year or so, and TWO of my kid would not of made that cutoff. So, clearly I am not the ONLY person who feels this way about cutoff dates.

Taking away that choice from parents is like telling me I HAVE to vaccinate, or I HAVE to only eat organic, or that I HAVE to take a million trips to disney when my kids are young. Its called free will to do what I want with MY kids, as I see fit. We are well within the law by with holding our kids who need the extra year home to grow a little bit.

Like I said before, EVERY SINGLE teacher, and even the principal we spoke with recommended redshirting, why? Because kindergarten is HARD, it is not like it used to be. The kindergarten in our district pushs very hard, we are a very academic school district, and they expect a lot of those poor little kids. And, even the school district advocates redshirting because they have seen too many kids struggle and fail, and be held back because they are just not ready.

You could really say its a vicious circle, starting with no child left behind, and standardized tests.

I will not sacrifice my childs well being, and education for the good of a whole, and if you think that is selfish, and entitlement, then clearly we have VERY DIFFERENT views on what those words mean.

Every child does deserve the help they need, but I don't think any parent should have the right to put the teacher in a situation where she has to provide for an even wider range of ages and abilities by holding a child who is capable of being in K out a year to gain an advantage. By doing so they are effectively denying someone else's child the help they need because thier child is now ahead of the game and needs enrichment. There are only so many hours in the day for the teacher to get to everyone. When all of the children are on the same level, everyone benefits more from the instruction given. In my poinion holding your fully campable child out to gain an edge is a sneaky, underhanded abuse of the system. You can think I am full of bull all you want, but I do consider how my actions affect others. Even when the choice is a difficult one. I don't understand why that is such a difficult concept. I know many people who were raised that way, and think the same way I do. I was taught that being self centered and self serving was a bad thing. Why is that so unfathomable??? I don't think it is fair to assume someone is lying when you wouldn't or couldn't do the same yourself. I don't teach my child to look out for number one , but that everyone deserves a fair chance. It would be hypocritical of me to tell her that and do something else.
Redshirting a child who is that close to the cutoff and redshirting a 5 1/2 year old are two different situations. 10 days is not a big deal. 6-12 months is. That is my issue with readshirting. Not holding an iffy child who is right at the cutoff out, but holding and obviously ready child who is well past the cutoff out. I think having a 7 year old in K is a definite problem, unless they have a developmental delay. Do all 4 of your children have the same birthday, to all be 10 days from the cutoff, or has the cutoff date changed??

 

[dawnmommy]

It is so strange to me that some people on this thread think they can read the minds of parents who didn't sent their child to kindergarten in some cases. comments like "it is really the parents who want them home with them" or implying that the parents are doing it to give some sort of advantage.

how the heck do you know?

Each family knows their own child and needs to do what is right for them. My son did make the cut-off (barely), but he was absolutely NOT mature enough, and the school agreed with us. He has some health issues and was having 2 surgeries in what would have been his kindergarten year. We enrolled him in a private school who worked with us on his absences, and he'll attend kindergarten at the public school starting in the fall.

And yes, he'll be 6 (barely) when he starts. oh the horror! So fine, go ahead and judge us, but we are his parents and we did the right thing for HIM. We didn't take the decision lightly, and it was a huge financial decision to pay the $12000 in private school for this year.

I also think kindergarten varies a lot my district. Some districts are still only half day, and have cut offs in December, which is so unusual to me. So obviously those kindergartens operate a bit differently than our district, with its August cut-off, and a full day program.

 

[Aristomommy]

Like I said before, EVERY SINGLE teacher, and even the principal we spoke with recommended redshirting, why? Because kindergarten is HARD, it is not like it used to be. The kindergarten in our district pushs very hard, we are a very academic school district, and they expect a lot of those poor little kids. And, even the school district advocates redshirting because they have seen too many kids struggle and fail, and be held back because they are just not ready.

You could really say its a vicious circle, starting with no child left behind, and standardized tests.

Or how about the school keep kindergarten appropriate for the age group so that all children can go when they are within the cut off date? Why are these kids struggling and failing? Is it really the child or the school perhaps?

Of course schools like redshirting because they can have students in 3rd grade testing who should really be in 4th grade. And their star quarterback in high school will be a 19 year old student instead of a younger, less developed boy.

I am so glad we are in a school district that differentiates in kindergarten-3rd grades and even considers early entry.

 

[tyzzle]

I wish all people had a choice to test or evaluate their children into kindergarten as late fours, fives, and, almost sixes. Where I live the cut off is Sept 1, two weeks before my daughter's birthday. Mine is in Oct. and DH is Nov. When we went it was Dec 1st. We were both young, both very smart, and successful in school. My daughter is pretty intelligent and independent already (not bragging I swear), but she will turn six two weeks after she starts kindergarten. I do not mind people holding their children back if the child does not feel ready, but I also agree that not allowing the opposite (entering early) will also end up wasting time (student's and teacher's). Any child "ready" for kindergarten should be allowed at the parent and school's discretion.

 

[brymolmom]

For everyone who has said that teachers/administrators/everyone has recommended redshirting...they do this to cover their .....you can guess the rest. Can you imagine a child who has trouble in Kindergarten for whatever reason (not used to the routine, not a good listener, hasn't had to share at all beforehand, not good at separation, struggles with material) - and the teacher/administrator said to SEND him/her. By saying to hold him back they are removing that as the 'go to reason' for the issue, which, by the way - may or may not be the true reason for the issue. But they would be in trouble with parents if the child struggles with anything if they said to go ahead and send. So they are covering themselves with the easy answer. This might not happen in every case - but I have seen plenty of times when they have recommended it with no good reason or delay of the child, and, in fact, the children have been more than ready. And still - that is generally the only thing they say, regardless of the child.

Second - if it is someone in the school recommending it - the principal, evaluator, etc. - this is obvious too - can you imagine if that school ends up with a greater percentage of kids taking standardized tests who are, in fact, a year older than most of the kids taking the tests in other schools?? This is truly a win/win for the school itself- increasing their own test scores.

So I don't put a lot of stock in recommendations of school officials. If they say to hold your child back - be sure to ask for details on WHY - exactly what is he/she lacking (compared to other same age children) and is so far behind in that it is the recommendation...And then, of course, follow it up with specialized help for your child in this area that he/she is way far behind all others in his/her age group.

 

[deerhart]

In MO where I am, the cut off is August 1st!! When I was a kid, it was much later as my birthday is late September and I did go to K at age 4. There was an article in the paper that said MO is one of the earliest cut off dates and I would believe it after reading every ones post here.

I was bummed as my little boy won't be 5 until 8/29 so we miss K this year. That will put him in pre-k an extra year and he is the oldest of all the kids. He will be bored in K and a lot older than most of the kids. I have complained about missing the cut off for at least a year and the Catholic school we go to won't make any exceptions. Well, guess what? Now that registration is upon us, I am secretly glad he isn't going to school. Now I think what does one year mean and I can't change it anyway. Also, with some many people holding the kids back, there may be a bunch of older kids in the class.

Also MO passed a law last year or the year before which a cut off a loop hole. Prior to the passage, a child could start private kindy as long as they turned 5 that school year and then move to 1st grade in public school the next year. But the legislature passed a law stating that ALL schools, both public and private, have to obey the 7/31 cut off.

My youngest is an October baby, he's as big as his brother 2.5 years older then him and one of the oldest in the class. He will turn 18 just after starting his senior year and driving early in his sophomore year. My oldest is an april baby and one of the youngest in his class (as over half the class are fall/winter babies). We were told many times to hold my youngest back (due to his disabilities) but academically he has no issues and entered kindy already doing 1st grade + work

 

[hmacmahony]

We did a lot of talking to people for the few years before we had to make this choice for our kids, we probably talked to over 100 teachers, yes we talked to our principal, and a few teachers in our district, but we also spoke to many, many many teacher, principals, educators NOT in our district, who DON"T care about our test scores.
STILL EVERY SINGLE TIME (but one) the educator said hold a year! It will NEVER hurt to hold a year, where it can very well backfire if you send.

I also come from a whole family of educators, and they all agreed as well that holding is the best thing for kids close to the cutoff date (in most, not all cases).

So, I don't put a lot of stock into someone who I KNOW hasn't done the research into this subject that I have. Hours, and hours of reading online, talking to educators, other parents, etc, I just don't put a lot of stock into someone's opinion who I can almost guarantee has done very little research. Other than the fact that they would push their child, for the good of the whole class (eye roll)

For everyone who has said that teachers/administrators/everyone has recommended redshirting...they do this to cover their .....you can guess the rest. Can you imagine a child who has trouble in Kindergarten for whatever reason (not used to the routine, not a good listener, hasn't had to share at all beforehand, not good at separation, struggles with material) - and the teacher/administrator said to SEND him/her. By saying to hold him back they are removing that as the 'go to reason' for the issue, which, by the way - may or may not be the true reason for the issue. But they would be in trouble with parents if the child struggles with anything if they said to go ahead and send. So they are covering themselves with the easy answer. This might not happen in every case - but I have seen plenty of times when they have recommended it with no good reason or delay of the child, and, in fact, the children have been more than ready. And still - that is generally the only thing they say, regardless of the child.

Second - if it is someone in the school recommending it - the principal, evaluator, etc. - this is obvious too - can you imagine if that school ends up with a greater percentage of kids taking standardized tests who are, in fact, a year older than most of the kids taking the tests in other schools?? This is truly a win/win for the school itself- increasing their own test scores.

So I don't put a lot of stock in recommendations of school officials. If they say to hold your child back - be sure to ask for details on WHY - exactly what is he/she lacking (compared to other same age children) and is so far behind in that it is the recommendation...And then, of course, follow it up with specialized help for your child in this area that he/she is way far behind all others in his/her age group.

 

[J3nn78]

We did a lot of talking to people for the few years before we had to make this choice for our kids, we probably talked to over 100 teachers, yes we talked to our principal, and a few teachers in our district, but we also spoke to many, many many teacher, principals, educators NOT in our district, who DON"T care about our test scores.
STILL EVERY SINGLE TIME (but one) the educator said hold a year! It will NEVER hurt to hold a year, where it can very well backfire if you send.

I also come from a whole family of educators, and they all agreed as well that holding is the best thing for kids close to the cutoff date (in most, not all cases).

So, I don't put a lot of stock into someone who I KNOW hasn't done the research into this subject that I have. Hours, and hours of reading online, talking to educators, other parents, etc, I just don't put a lot of stock into someone's opinion who I can almost guarantee has done very little research. Other than the fact that they would push their child, for the good of the whole class (eye roll)

This is exactly what we have done as well. No one that I have spoken to has anything to gain from me keeping my DS a year. NO ONE.

 

[Leajess99]

I've asked in other posts here...Could someone who believes whole-heartedly in redshirting (holding back) please answer this: Since your child will obviously know way more (perhaps even the whole K year curriculum depending) than 4 year olds in his/her class, will you be content that your child is learning OTHER things in that classroom? Is that still BEST for your child? Or do you think that your child should be offered more challenging material (OK let's think 1st grade instead of K)? Don't you think that it was by your choice that your child was not challenged in the first place and that if you truly wanted it you could have had it? So why should the other kids and teachers pay for that choice that you made?

I did not nor do I believe in Redshirting but I do believe in my children's cases that they should be offered more challenging work. My kids are advanced learners but that is their nature. Our district went to a new math program which I absolutely hate as they do not want to move the kids up in Math. My daughter is so bored because of it as she completed 1st grade Math last year. I teach her Math at home as she is already doing mulitplication and has been since the end of last school year.

Our experience with redshirts comes in the sports program where my kids play basketball. In my youngest's league there is a child that should be in at least 3rd grade yet plays in the 1st/2nd league. The child is huge and towers over every other child in the league. It takes the joy and challenge out of the sport for the child if you ask me.