From time to time, schools may suggest that students who are struggling academically repeat a grade. Choosing to hold a child back for a year is a big decision, one with a variety of different possible outcomes. Some students benefit from it, while others may be harmed. The specific needs of your child must be carefully considered.
Social Disadvantages
Many educators oppose the practice of holding students back a grade, also called retention. The National Association of School Psychologists has warned that retention can harm social and emotional adjustment. They often have difficulty fitting in and forming new bonds with their younger classmates, and they may feel ashamed or embarrassed at their own perceived failure. This stigma may be real or only perceived, but it can affect a child's emotional well-being in either case. Being separated from peer groups can cause children to feel isolated.
Academic Benefits
For students who are struggling academically or who are not developmentally on par with their classmates, retention can have benefits. Proceeding to the next grade without having mastered the previous one can cause a student to fall further behind academically, since the foundations for new subjects are lacking. In some cases, students who were struggling with a grade may find that they fit in better in their new class and have an opportunity to master topics that were previously difficult.
Academic Disadvantages
Despite the fact that academic and developmental reasons are often cited in determining whether or not a child should repeat a grade, there is evidence to suggest that repeating a grade does not improve academic performance. Social scientist Karl L. Alexander cites studies demonstrating that students who repeat a grade are more likely to perform poorly academically and not to finish high school. They were usually underperforming academically to begin with, and retention does not seem to solve the problem in every case.
Alternatives
Other solutions may be appropriate for your child. Academic tutoring or counseling may help improve her academic performance without the stigma of being made to repeat a grade. In other cases, retention may be the appropriate response. Each student has unique academic, emotional and social needs, and the decision to retain should be made by you and your child's teachers and counselors, working together to ensure the right decision for your child.
References
- "On the Success of Failure a Reassessment of the Effects of Retention in the Primary School Grades"; Karl L. Alexander et al., 2002
- Family Education; The Risks of Repeating a Grade; Lynn McBrien
- National Association of School Psychologists; Position Statement on Student Grade Retention and Social Promotion; 2003
