Can the school make your child repeat a grade more than once??

Question

My son was in kindergarten in California and did well there. However, when we moved to Colorado, he had to repeat the grade due to his age. Now the school wants him to repeat the first grade, is that really going to help? According to the placement test, he scored really low to be able to go to second grade and now he is 7 1/2 years old.... What can I do?

Answer 1

Yes, I think they can.  I would want him to have some extra help so he scores better next time.  Did they do a psychoeducational evaluation on him?  Maybe he just needs accommodations for the test like for it to be untimed, administered over several sessions, to be prompted, to be given it individually.  My son receives all of these and scored in an average range, previously he scored low.  Are they doing an IEP?  My son is the same age and he is entering 1st grade.  He repeated kindergarten.

Answer 2

Have him checked for bad eyesight, hearing, dyslexia, anything that may slow his learning, and you may have to tutor him at home every day, but first you need to discuss this with the principal of the school, and tell him that he wants to stay with his school friends.

Answer 3

Yes they can, you should of been working with him at home

Answer 4

You can refuse to let him stay behind again, it may be their recommendation, but you are the parent.

Answer 5

Talk to the teachers. Is it a social or academic reason? If he scored low on the test, you most likely have a break-down of his percentages on those tests and know the areas that need improvement. If you really want him to advance to the next grade, talk to the school now and let them know that YOU will work with him over the summer to get him ready for the next grade. I would guess the worst that could happen is he would have to repeat 2nd grade. If he struggled a lot in 1st though, let him repeat it since 2nd is a fair amount more difficult and may be too much information for him to handle.

I really wouldn't worry about his age. It's not like the other parents and kids need to know he was held back before. One lady I know holds her kids out of school an extra year on purpose. Our daughters are in the same class and 1st grade just ended and her daughter turned 8 a few days back.

I would feel much better having him repeat it now rather than when he's 14. Kids bounce back easily.

Answer 6

I am sorry to say your child has to stay back by law there is a law

Answer 7

If you can, help him catch up this summer, you can talk to his teacher to find out his weaknesses.  I think it is up to you if you want him to move on.  Talk to the school and tell them this will be his third time and as the parent you will not allow it, you can even say you are considering other options for his education so he will be allowed to do second grade some where else.  If you talk to them, tell them you will be working with him over the summer, I think they will let him move on.  Good Luck

Answer 8

Try your best to help him learn......During the summer break, go to a libray and get some books to help him learn what he is not that knowldgable in, like math for instance.  But don't let it stop there!  Continue teaching him at all times; give him a dollar to uy something and when he brings the change TOGETHER you need to count it out to make sure it is the right amount.  In language, you have to tell him that sometimes letters are silent or don't always sound the same way -- soft & hard letters.

  What type of school is he in now?  private or public?  what type was he in at first?  Take your little one to a pediatrician for testing to learn if there is a learning difficulty.

    I understand your frustration.  My prayers are for you to get the best for your child(ren)!!!!...

Answer 9

Talk to his teachers..  I asked my son's teacher last year if he was really ready for the 2nd. grade b/c he was struggling.  He passed his CRCT tests that promote and as she said to me.  Most teachers do not want to hold back b/c the child will become bored since they already know most of the work.  They will become a trouble maker most of the time.  I would talk to the teacher and then to the principle.  That means he will be 8 yrs. old sometime in the 1st grade and he will be way to big to be around the other kids.  Push for him to go into 2nd grade and you need to really work with him on his weaknesses.

Answer 10

educators know best, if you want your child to stuggle through school well...........

Answer 11

I think they can make him stay back, but it may not be what is best for him. I am a special education teacher and I know the placement tests well. Have him tested to see what he has the ability to do. This will help the school and you know what to do for him. If he has the ability, move him on and ask for extra help for him. Be there to help with homework and meet with his teachers often. He can catch up. However, if his ability level is low, maybe he should stay back. It is better to keep him back than to label him with a special education label. Those stick and will be with him as long as he is in school. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Answer 12

Why would you want your child to be in a class where he won't be able to do the work?

I would talk to the teacher about specifically what problems he had on the test. Maybe he really is behind...or maybe he's just confused because he was taught differently at his other school.

But you need to remember that the important thing is for your son to learn. Not for him to be in a particular grade based on how old he is.

Answer 13

he's gonna be 8 years old and in 1st grade? YOU have some say whether or not he gets held back again. If I were you, I would let him advance to the next grade level.

Answer 14

As a parent, you have the last say, but do consider WHY they want to hold him; if it's for his educational well-being, think long and hard before you pass him along unprepared and unable to do work that he will be expected to do to a certain level.  I teach secondary school, and I've seen SO many children that would've benefitted from repeating a grade when they were in grade school to get the BASICS because if those are not learned, there's nothing to build on.  AND it's better to retain a child in elementary school than in secondary school - for too many reasons to list here.  BASICS - key term

Answer 15

I have rarely seen a child benefit from being held back twice. They are embarassed, and for good reason. Sadly, they almost always conclude that they are "stupid" and can't learn.  Their experience is that school is no fun, and they turn off to the excitement of learning. Retention is definitely not my first choice!

But Colorado law may differ from California, and it may also depend on the school district. You have to check it out there.  In our district here in California, you were not allowed to retain a student twice.

You must have your child tested for a learning disability as soon as possible, and without fail. There is no shame or stigma here.  Educate yourself about the many possibilities available for your child.  Good luck!

Answer 16

What did he test poorly on?  Who administered it?  Was it administered all on one day, over several days, as a group, one on one?  Did all children do the test or only a few who were having difficulty?  Is there an ESL factor here?  I have seen children who failed a grade and I have seen many instances where, by grade 4 they were behind again and not fitting in socially because of the age difference.  When I began teaching I was in favour of failing but over the years I have become much more sceptical of it.  

You say he had to repeat the grade because of his age.  So I assume he is now the same age as the other grade one children.  As he is 7 1/2, his birthday seems to be at the beginning of the cut of period so he is one of the older ones.  That is a bit of a negative toward failing him as the problem doesn't seem to be maturity.  

I would put him in grade 2 and, if he is still struggling at the end of grade 2, you may wish to repeat his year then.  I have seen some children start grade 2 struggling and finish the year ahead of the class.  For some children it just clicks a little later.  If he is struggling in reading, the best series I have ever used for remedial reading is The Merrill Reading Program.  It is now published by McGraw Hill of Columbus, Ohio and teaches phonics in a nearly fool proof method.  The first book is called I Can and the ISBN is 0-02-674706-5.  There is also a teacher's guide and you would be well advised to order the teacher's guide  for at least the first book.  Later ones you may be able to make do with just the student reader and workbook.  The series is not cheap but I have seen it work for children who had not learned how to read by grade 3.  After a year of doing the Merrill daily they had made enormous progress.  EVen over the summer, you should be able to make progress.  I find it helps to give spelling tests using the list words from the Merrill.  

You will need to contact a good bookstore to special order it unless you can get McGraw Hill to sell it to you directly.  

I have posted the link to their website.  

I would have your son go into grade 2 IF you are willing to work with him over the summer.  You should also INSIST that he access special education help.  There is no shame in that if he needs it.  Good Luck.

Answer 17

I think their is a law (no child left behind) I think the school is just recommending that he should stay in 1st grade but it is up to you what you want to do!!  You can always let him try 2nd grade to see how he does and if he is struggling then put him back into first.  This is what a friend of mine did!!