retention

Home

Chat

Blogs

Collection

Directory

Home : 2001 : April : 25

retention
By Cathy-Dee

Basically in my school division retention is based on the recommendation of the teacher. The teacher bases their recommendation on the abilities of the student and whether or not they feel the student is capable of doing
the work in the next grade.
We do not have specific benchmarks based on reading levels of certain books, but we do expect our students to be able to read most books that are normally rated ending grade one materials. Each school chooses their own books and readers, but most do fit into our Alberta curriculum and we do have series approved as resources for the Alberta curriculum.
Generally

we look at all levels of work, reading, writing, math, independent work, maturity, etc., and if a child is weak in at least two areas where success in grade two would most likely not happen because of weak skills at the end of grade one we usually retain the student. I teach in a school where some students enter school in kindergarten never having looked at a book, etc., so we tend to have more kids repeat that say a school in a larger community where the parents are often professionals.

This year I will be repeating 4 students out of 20 who for various reasons just are not ready for grade 2. I also will send up 2 students who are weak in some areas but overall have the basics we teach in first grade. The 4 repeating, one may have learning difficulties and is a year younger than her peers. One had no background entering kindergarten, no books, didn't know what scissors were, never used a pencil, etc., Kindergarten was spent learning a lot of basic hand-eye coordination, etc., The other two are just not ready.

It is never an easy decision to hold back a child. I look at age, whether they will have siblings coming up into that grade, attendance, parental support, etc., If they are only weak in one area (i.e. reading, but they are fine in math) I may send them up. I also look at class sizes for the next year. If first grade is going to be 27 children while second grade is only 16 children, I may send up a weaker student as they will get more individualized help in a smaller class setting.

I do think a lot depends on your school, and district as to whether they support retention or would prefer kids are pushed through the system. I strongly believe that if children are to be retained, it should be in the first or second grade. This is where the basics are taught, if a child doesn't have these basics they are going to struggle in all their grades. But if a teacher is judged by how many students they retain, I can see why a teacher may try to "fudge" the results just to send a student on.

If there are other first grade teachers in your school I would talk with them about your students. I've taught for 8 years now and I still talk over my possible retentions with the other first grade teacher and other teachers who may be involved with them.