FLUNKING!

DO NOT AGREE TO HOLD YOUR CHILD BACK TO REPEAT A GRADE LEVEL. I do not approve of flunking a child. Most educational researchers and reviewers agree. Flunking is just too damaging to your child for you to even consider it. It does not give your child benefits. It is all negative. There is no positive.

Many studies have shown that children who are flunked a year most often are still not doing well at the end of the second or third year. More children drop out of school later on who have been flunked at least one year than children who have not been flunked. Look up education.stateuniversity.com/pages/2431/Social-Promotion.html for a good article on this position. This article sums up flunking by stating that "Researchers and reviewers...typically conclude that...grade retention imposes too many social and motivational costs, and students appear to get more out of a year spent in the next grade than they do out of a year spent repeating a grade, even though they are likely to continue to achieve less successfully than their classmates."

In other words, flunking damages your child's confidence and motivation and social standing. Your child will still struggle in school even if held back.

And, by the way, it is your decision. The elementary school parent ALWAYS gets to make the decision. The school can only recommend.

Then what do you do if your child is not learning as you and the school wishes? You get other help for your child.

A tutor is a first consideration, but you may have to try several tutors before you find one who works well with your child. And tutors are expensive. In the area of the country where I live, the midwest, tutors can range from $15.oo an hour to $55.00 an hour. Even $15 an hour becomes expensive. A struggling child needs hours of help. Plan to send your child to a tutor for at least six months to a year.

If someone in your family works well with your child and is willing to help on a regular basis, that is a good option to consider instead of a tutor. Of course, this must be regular, organized, prolonged help. I would suggest an hour a day, split up into two shorter sessions if your child is very young.

Some schools will help tutor your child. This is not always the best option. Closely watch your child to see if progress is being made. School tutoring assistance varies in quality more than outside tutoring help.

Get outside help for your child, reassure your child that being held back a grade is NOT in consideration, but that extra work until your child has caught up and moved ahead will be the order of the day. Then be firm, stay positive and encouraging, and help your child succeed as all children should be able to succeed.

Your child may be depressed right now, but nothing builds self-confidence like growing skills and finding success. Start today!