Is Retention Worth It?
No one likes to hear the "r" word in an educational setting. But, as a parent, hearing the word, retention can stir up strong emotions in you. The term is scary, carries a lot of weight, can be embarrassing and frustrating, and, unfortunately, a negative stigma is attached to it.
Children can be retained because of academic deficiencies and social-emotional issues. However, once the educational team presents all the data at the end of the day, you have to determine if your child repeating the same grade is the right thing to do. As a parent, you have that right! As an educator, consider the following before joining the team to make a decision that will impact your child's future. Here are a few questions that you should ask:
Is the retention going to be beneficial to your child? For retention to work, the child must receive intensive intervention specific to their deficit. A detailed and intentional plan needs to be implemented for remediation because doing the same will yield the same results. Why is the child struggling? What is the data saying, and is that data used for intervention methods? There has to be something in place for checks and balances. Data drives instruction and determines mastery of a skill. The child will always struggle in school if the deficit is not the focus.Have all intervention methods been exhausted? For example, has the child received tutoring, taken EIP classes, and received differentiated and small-group instruction? Does the child have a learning disability? Many children with learning disabilities struggle in the classroom. Ensure that you meet regularly with the teacher (general and special education) to review their IEP and accommodations and modifications in the school.
How does your child feel about retention? Your child has a voice, too. Retention can significantly impact a child's social/emotional behavior. Children who are retained can feel embarrassed, withdraw from their peers, and sometimes develop behavior problems. How you communicate your decision to (or not to) retain them matters.
What does the research say? Research states that remediation will only help if the focus is on the child's deficit. What does this mean? This means that instruction has to be intentional and tailored to the child's needs. Retention is not about staying back but learning information based on the child's needs so they can move forward. If this is not the goal, retention is not the answer!
Before making a decision that can impact your child and change their life trajectory, consider everything. Talk to the school about what can be done to assist your child, be clear about your expectations, and work together to develop a plan. Read and research different solutions as a family, and look ahead so that you can preview the next grade level's curriculum. This will help you when you're deciding on retention. Finally, invest in your child by signing them up with a reputable tutoring center that will assess them, develop a unique plan for their needs, and help them access the curriculum on their level.
Retention can be the last resort if all parties are willing to work together to ensure that the child has everything they need to succeed.