promotion/retention

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promotion/retention
By Cathy-Dee

Basically we do not have set guide-lines. As a teacher I make the initial decision. This is discussed by myself and the Principal (as to my reasoning), then the parents are notified. Parents do have some say in the matter
as well, but generally we are backed up by both our administrators and the division.
Overall the child needs to be weak in more than one area and is often at least 1/2 year behind his/her peers. So the child is not able to read at grade level, has difficult writing and has difficulty with math concepts.
We do look at a lot of other factors as well. How old the child is? Will

repeating really make a difference? Are there younger siblings coming up into that grade? Are the parents supportive? Etc., It is not an easy decision and I do not take the responsibility lightly.

In the 8 years I've been teaching I have repeated quite a few children (I also teach in an area where children do not have good support systems at home for education and thus the children come to school with fewer skills than many children in larger centers).
I would have to say out of all the children I have repeated there was only 1 student where it didn't really make a difference. All my other students have done extremely well in their second year of grade one and have gone on to at least maintain an average mark in their next grades.