Jane said:
@Tracy
What about later grades like 10th 11th and 12th
Those already operate under a credit based system.
I’m desperately trying to get my severely ADHD 9 year old retained in 4th. He is so behind socially and the accommodations they have for his ADHD are so excessive that he’s severely unprepared for even 4th grade rigor nonetheless 5th grade expectations.
I don’t get why it’s even a debate. Why even give out grades if ‘failing’ makes no difference.
My school is small and some of these kids have had the same kids in their classes every year K-8. I had a particularly sharp student ask me one time, ‘How come the kids who fail just keep move up with me when I get As?’ and I just didn’t know what to tell him.
@esleystanley
Tell him eventually he’ll be in the AP or DE classes and he’ll finally get a break? My eldest has been so happy to be able to learn without constant, ongoing disruption.
I’m all for it, unless I have to have that kid for a second year. LOL!
Truly though, it’s 50-50. I’ve had students that got held back that fit so much better in the new class, totally turned it around and it was the best thing for them. Others though, did the same thing (nothing) in the second year and continued in the same path all through the rest of their school years.
@Alex
I’m 43 (December birthday) and I repeated Kindergarten. It was the best thing my parents could have done for me at the time. I was academically ready, but not socially ready. I’m AuADHD, but wasn’t diagnosed until 30.
It doesn’t matter. Society as a whole decided against it. We are not going to change it now.
There needs to be more interventions beyond retention. Having a 9 year old in the same classroom as 6 year olds or a 13 year old in the same class as 10 year olds doesn’t help anyone. Parents need to be held accountable to make sure their kids get the help they need.
I think a 1 year retention in elementary school is fine, if the student is 2 years behind or more and they get additional support.
For middle and high school, they should repeat classes or take summer school, not repeat a year.
Retention creates an age gap and can’t just be done indefinitely. It’s a safety issue to have 17yos in middle school with 12 year olds or 20yos in high school with 14yos. We also don’t have the funding to routinely add years to people’s education.
That it was right that you were retained and, no, they shouldn’t have let you graduate earlier because of it, and life isn’t fair but not because you didn’t graduate when you wanted to, and that you need therapy.
I think that about covers it.
Diplomas should be done away with and replaced with competency transcripts of what you can do academically and non-academically and to what degree of proficiency. They should also include records of attendance, behavior, punctuality, and responsibility for materials. This will streamline employers and recruiters finding the people they are looking for with regards to specialized and even low demand work or study.
Up until 2015, my state, Georgia, required five subject area tests for graduation. Fail even one, no diploma.
It was my equalizer against students who refused to take me seriously. I had one in particular who refused to do what I said. After four attempts to pass, she took my advice and passed!
We have students getting diplomas who can not do even basic skills, but our graduation rate is stellar!
Four years and counting. Luckily, the fount of Victory Gin is ever replenished.
Person A will blame person B. Who will blame person C. Who will blame someone else.
I think flunking a grade level should still happen. Each grade level should have requirements, if you don’t get a passing grade, you don’t move on to the next grade level. If you meet your grade requirements, you move to the next grade level.