Redshirting? Will there be more this year?

[Anonymous]

Now that we’re into this school year, what do we think the implications will be both for the class of 2033 and 2034? With news of how enrollment dropped on MCPS I’m expecting them to have to lay off kindergarten teachers only to have huge influx next year. If that’s the case we could be looking at class sizes of nearly 30 kids in kindergarten next year. That’s insane!

At a national level we’ll see much more completion for college. I’m really nervous for my current PreK kid (November birthday)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Now that we’re into this school year, what do we think the implications will be both for the class of 2033 and 2034? With news of how enrollment dropped on MCPS I’m expecting them to have to lay off kindergarten teachers only to have huge influx next year. If that’s the case we could be looking at class sizes of nearly 30 kids in kindergarten next year. That’s insane!

At a national level we’ll see much more completion for college. I’m really nervous for my current PreK kid (November birthday)

I actually don’t think it will make a significant difference. I think there was a bit more redshirting this year - maybe enough to put one extra kid in a K class next year - but it seems like there was more withdrawing to homeschool K, or sending to private in person K, or spending another year in day care then sending to 1st next year. I only know of one family who was going to send the September birthday kid to K (we are in VA where the cutoff is 9/30) but decided to redshirt. But I know a bunch of people who have come up with alternative arrangements for K but are still planning on public 1st next year if schools are back to normal.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Kinder is such great year normally. I would redshirt a June bday this year in a heartbeat. April or earlier, probably no. June? Absolutely.

Does anyone ever ask you how old you were when you graduated high school? College? It doesn’t matter at all. In the grand scheme of things, we are talking about a year difference. Do what is best for your kid.

How do you think a kid will feel being an 19-20 year old senior? Kids know who was held back.

I know a lot of 19 year old high school seniors. Redshirting is pretty common, you know. None are 20—even if they were redshirted once they’re only 19.

If I held my fall kid back, they would have been 18 all of senior year. If a spring kid is held back they turn 19... the is way to old for high school. If a parent held back last year, they would have started at 6 this year. If they choose to hold back again, they will be 7 when they start.

It’s truly okay. It happens everywhere. Not a huge deal. BUT now there is a global emergency, so if there is an unusual number of kids who are 19 as seniors, there will be a specific reason for it. I know three families redshirting. Stop making it a huge deal. If you don’t want to do it, then just don’t.

Its absurd for many reasons including the most important social. You are dumbing down your kid to make them smarter and smarts has to do with IQ not age. It also impacts kids socially as the expectations for the younger kids becomes unreasonable as people expect them to be at the same rate as their peers who can be 1-2 years older them them so its not a real peer. It is really selfish to hold your child back as its easier to hold them back than teach them basics like reading.

Actually, some kids are academically ready and socially not, so parents hold them back so that they won’t always be socially behind.
And other times it’s the opposite - socially ready and academically not.

Also, read up a bit on IQ. The way you are using the term is the way we thought about IQ 40 years ago. Our intelligence is malleable, not fixed.

Its K. No kid would be truly ready except those whose parents and preschools prepared them. It takes parenting. If a child is that behind they should be evaluated and in services. Just ignoring it and holding a child back doesn't fix things.

Holding back does not make your kid smarter, just older. You can think it does, go for it. Your kid will be teased for you holding them back.

It’s unfortunate that you are spouting this on the board as if it’s true. There a a significant body of research on this, and those of us in developmental psych and education know differently. It can help tremendously for some children for many reasons. We aren’t talking about becoming smarter because it doesn’t actually work that way. But please don’t write things as if they are fact - just state them as your opinion so you aren’t spreading misinformation.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Kinder is such great year normally. I would redshirt a June bday this year in a heartbeat. April or earlier, probably no. June? Absolutely.

Does anyone ever ask you how old you were when you graduated high school? College? It doesn’t matter at all. In the grand scheme of things, we are talking about a year difference. Do what is best for your kid.

How do you think a kid will feel being an 19-20 year old senior? Kids know who was held back.

I know a lot of 19 year old high school seniors. Redshirting is pretty common, you know. None are 20—even if they were redshirted once they’re only 19.

If I held my fall kid back, they would have been 18 all of senior year. If a spring kid is held back they turn 19... the is way to old for high school. If a parent held back last year, they would have started at 6 this year. If they choose to hold back again, they will be 7 when they start.

It’s truly okay. It happens everywhere. Not a huge deal. BUT now there is a global emergency, so if there is an unusual number of kids who are 19 as seniors, there will be a specific reason for it. I know three families redshirting. Stop making it a huge deal. If you don’t want to do it, then just don’t.

Its absurd for many reasons including the most important social. You are dumbing down your kid to make them smarter and smarts has to do with IQ not age. It also impacts kids socially as the expectations for the younger kids becomes unreasonable as people expect them to be at the same rate as their peers who can be 1-2 years older them them so its not a real peer. It is really selfish to hold your child back as its easier to hold them back than teach them basics like reading.

Actually, some kids are academically ready and socially not, so parents hold them back so that they won’t always be socially behind.
And other times it’s the opposite - socially ready and academically not.

Also, read up a bit on IQ. The way you are using the term is the way we thought about IQ 40 years ago. Our intelligence is malleable, not fixed.

Its K. No kid would be truly ready except those whose parents and preschools prepared them. It takes parenting. If a child is that behind they should be evaluated and in services. Just ignoring it and holding a child back doesn't fix things.

Holding back does not make your kid smarter, just older. You can think it does, go for it. Your kid will be teased for you holding them back.

The thing is, to get services from FCPS (our district) is like pulling teeth. They didn't even let my child have AN EVALUATION! So, holding her back I am... without any guilty. I don't care how this may impact other children or if I am being selfish... I am doing what is best for MY child. That is my job after all.

Then you get private services like the rest of us. Our school district gave us the run around and we gave up. But, that didn't stop me from getting evaluated and therapies. If your child is struggling that much, you need to do a private evaluation and therapies or you are selfish. Ignoring the issue for a year isn't going to make it go away.

Who said I am not? She is on the waitlist for a neuro from Children's but is already having private tutoring for dyslexia and taking medication for ADHD with oversight from a child's psychiatrist. But since FCPS didn't give the ok for her to have an evaluation and, consequently, a IEP if needed, I feel no qualms on holding her back and preparing her for a successful 1st grade next year (she is repeating K, what is the same if I had held her back and started now for all purposes and effects).

I don't care about your child pp. You do what is best for your child as I do for mine.

It all worked all well with the pandemic. I rather she repeat K during DL than try to do 1st grade with all the learning challenges she has.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kinder is such great year normally. I would redshirt a June bday this year in a heartbeat. April or earlier, probably no. June? Absolutely.

Does anyone ever ask you how old you were when you graduated high school? College? It doesn’t matter at all. In the grand scheme of things, we are talking about a year difference. Do what is best for your kid.

How do you think a kid will feel being an 19-20 year old senior? Kids know who was held back.

I know a lot of 19 year old high school seniors. Redshirting is pretty common, you know. None are 20—even if they were redshirted once they’re only 19.

If I held my fall kid back, they would have been 18 all of senior year. If a spring kid is held back they turn 19... the is way to old for high school. If a parent held back last year, they would have started at 6 this year. If they choose to hold back again, they will be 7 when they start.

It’s truly okay. It happens everywhere. Not a huge deal. BUT now there is a global emergency, so if there is an unusual number of kids who are 19 as seniors, there will be a specific reason for it. I know three families redshirting. Stop making it a huge deal. If you don’t want to do it, then just don’t.

Its absurd for many reasons including the most important social. You are dumbing down your kid to make them smarter and smarts has to do with IQ not age. It also impacts kids socially as the expectations for the younger kids becomes unreasonable as people expect them to be at the same rate as their peers who can be 1-2 years older them them so its not a real peer. It is really selfish to hold your child back as its easier to hold them back than teach them basics like reading.

Actually, some kids are academically ready and socially not, so parents hold them back so that they won’t always be socially behind.
And other times it’s the opposite - socially ready and academically not.

Also, read up a bit on IQ. The way you are using the term is the way we thought about IQ 40 years ago. Our intelligence is malleable, not fixed.

Its K. No kid would be truly ready except those whose parents and preschools prepared them. It takes parenting. If a child is that behind they should be evaluated and in services. Just ignoring it and holding a child back doesn't fix things.

Holding back does not make your kid smarter, just older. You can think it does, go for it. Your kid will be teased for you holding them back.

It’s unfortunate that you are spouting this on the board as if it’s true. There a a significant body of research on this, and those of us in developmental psych and education know differently. It can help tremendously for some children for many reasons. We aren’t talking about becoming smarter because it doesn’t actually work that way. But please don’t write things as if they are fact - just state them as your opinion so you aren’t spreading misinformation.

DP. I have personally come to the conclusion that a lot of DCUM's rabid anti-redshirt posters are just not that bright.

[Anonymous]

You can find studies by qualified experts to support both resdshirt and antiredshirt. Literally, plenty of studies on both sides advocating both choices.

At my school people DID make fun of the oldest kids, and they did not do as well academically. They matured first, were first to look "big", get boobs, acne, etc, and for whatever reason were not academic stars it was almost universally the younger kids in the grade.

That said, that was 25 years ago. Redshirting was way less common then.

I think its just a matter of is your kid ready for K or are are they more at a PK skill level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My friend’s son turned five on June 1, THE cutoff day to redshirt in our district. She’s redshirting because, what’s the point. If he had been born a few hours earlier, it wouldn’t be an option. As it stands now, he will be 6 years, 3 months when he starts K in 2021. Seems old. Maybe not. Will most redshirt if it’s an option for them this year?

The studies show kids that are held back may have a small advantage for a couple years but are lower-achieving later in life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My friend’s son turned five on June 1, THE cutoff day to redshirt in our district. She’s redshirting because, what’s the point. If he had been born a few hours earlier, it wouldn’t be an option. As it stands now, he will be 6 years, 3 months when he starts K in 2021. Seems old. Maybe not. Will most redshirt if it’s an option for them this year?

The studies show kids that are held back may have a small advantage for a couple years but are lower-achieving later in life.

FWIW I have yet to find a study that differentiates between who redshirt for no reason (and just wanting the kid to be more competitive / bigger / older / better at sports) vs those that redshirt for a learning disability type reason. I think that can skew the results, personally. I am interested in the topic - but alas I am not a researcher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My friend’s son turned five on June 1, THE cutoff day to redshirt in our district. She’s redshirting because, what’s the point. If he had been born a few hours earlier, it wouldn’t be an option. As it stands now, he will be 6 years, 3 months when he starts K in 2021. Seems old. Maybe not. Will most redshirt if it’s an option for them this year?

The studies show kids that are held back may have a small advantage for a couple years but are lower-achieving later in life.

Please cite and provide the exact studies that show what you claim here. I am very familiar with the academic work in this area and I have seen no such "studies" that reach conclusions anywhere near this broad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can find studies by qualified experts to support both resdshirt and antiredshirt. Literally, plenty of studies on both sides advocating both choices.

At my school people DID make fun of the oldest kids, and they did not do as well academically. They matured first, were first to look "big", get boobs, acne, etc, and for whatever reason were not academic stars it was almost universally the younger kids in the grade.

That said, that was 25 years ago. Redshirting was way less common then.

I think its just a matter of is your kid ready for K or are are they more at a PK skill level.

You have confirmation bias, if you understand that term.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can find studies by qualified experts to support both resdshirt and antiredshirt. Literally, plenty of studies on both sides advocating both choices.

At my school people DID make fun of the oldest kids, and they did not do as well academically. They matured first, were first to look "big", get boobs, acne, etc, and for whatever reason were not academic stars it was almost universally the younger kids in the grade.

That said, that was 25 years ago. Redshirting was way less common then.

I think its just a matter of is your kid ready for K or are are they more at a PK skill level.

You have confirmation bias, if you understand that term.

So do you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My friend’s son turned five on June 1, THE cutoff day to redshirt in our district. She’s redshirting because, what’s the point. If he had been born a few hours earlier, it wouldn’t be an option. As it stands now, he will be 6 years, 3 months when he starts K in 2021. Seems old. Maybe not. Will most redshirt if it’s an option for them this year?

The studies show kids that are held back may have a small advantage for a couple years but are lower-achieving later in life.

Please cite and provide the exact studies that show what you claim here. I am very familiar with the academic work in this area and I have seen no such "studies" that reach conclusions anywhere near this broad.

I am also very familiar with this research and agree with PP that studies are not concluding this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can find studies by qualified experts to support both resdshirt and antiredshirt. Literally, plenty of studies on both sides advocating both choices.

At my school people DID make fun of the oldest kids, and they did not do as well academically. They matured first, were first to look "big", get boobs, acne, etc, and for whatever reason were not academic stars it was almost universally the younger kids in the grade.

That said, that was 25 years ago. Redshirting was way less common then.

I think its just a matter of is your kid ready for K or are are they more at a PK skill level.

You have confirmation bias, if you understand that term.

So do you.

Uh. I am not making any claims like you are. There is literally nothing for me to have confirmation bias about.

But I guess I was right in guessing that you don't understand the term!

[Anonymous]

The anti-redshirting bias on DCUM is so weird. It must be because this area is so Uber competitive and intense that parents really feel like their kids are getting screwed by the older kids - for spots in programs? Sports? Otherwise, why would they care so much?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The anti-redshirting bias on DCUM is so weird. It must be because this area is so Uber competitive and intense that parents really feel like their kids are getting screwed by the older kids - for spots in programs? Sports? Otherwise, why would they care so much?

Yeah - this exactly. Why do people care?

Sports in schools are not super competitive. Sports outside of school ARE super competitive, but are age based, so redshirting doesn't help there.

So most people redshirt for maturity. Wouldn't they prefer their kids be around more mature kids who aren't disrupting the class?