Recent experience - repeating K

[Anonymous]

Our kid is struggling through K, both academically and with focus. We are on a waitlist to get him tested privately. I know repeating a grade doesn't solve the problem, but I don't see how it could hurt DS (except socially). Has anyone recently had their kid repeat an early elem grade at MCPS? Or requested and was denied? DS is a summer bday so on the young side.

[Anonymous]

Highly unlikely the school will allow it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Highly unlikely the school will allow it.

Np. I'm sure they'll tell OP that they won't allow it. But if OP keep appealing and has a neuropsychologist report or other info from a medical practitioner recommending it, I think they will eventually allow it. The MCPS way is to give in once they know the parents will keep appealing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Highly unlikely the school will allow it.

Np. I'm sure they'll tell OP that they won't allow it. But if OP keep appealing and has a neuropsychologist report or other info from a medical practitioner recommending it, I think they will eventually allow it. The MCPS way is to give in once they know the parents will keep appealing.

I’ve never seen this work for holding a kid back. But OP could have him repeat K in private.

[Anonymous]

I would repeat in private if possible. MCPS will tell you they will meet the childs needs in first...but that is unlikely. A different environment/ciriculum would also be good. Repeating MCPS would mean doing all the same things again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Highly unlikely the school will allow it.

Np. I'm sure they'll tell OP that they won't allow it. But if OP keep appealing and has a neuropsychologist report or other info from a medical practitioner recommending it, I think they will eventually allow it. The MCPS way is to give in once they know the parents will keep appealing. [/quote

Not for this. It’s both expensive and, according to all science and research, pointless. So they simply don’t do it.

OP, you will be much better served by figuring out what went wrong and fixing that - whether that’s testing, tutoring, private, something else, a combo. Simply doing kinder again and hoping it goes better this time is the AA’s definition of insanity.

[Anonymous]

OP a lot of kids in my son's class repeated K or dropped out and came back, or repeated 1st grade, including my own DS. This was a public school (not in the DMV) and was quite normal, acceptable and encouraged where it was felt the child would benefit. I had to ask the K teacher about it - then we met with the AP and that teacher, went through various forms and it was done.

You have to be really careful what they write and if you don't agree with any of it, have it changed. There are certain key phrases they like to use which don't apply to everyone and you don't necessarily want on your kids record. "failure to understand key concepts" is one of them. If that's the case, fine, but if it's not make sure it's not recorded as such. good luck.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks everyone.

How do I actually make the request? Is there a formal process? Or just an email? The private testing probably won't happen until August so it'll probably be too late to use it in my request.

Repeating in private isn't a option because of cost.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks everyone.

How do I actually make the request? Is there a formal process? Or just an email? The private testing probably won't happen until August so it'll probably be too late to use it in my request.

Repeating in private isn't a option because of cost.

Ask the teacher in the first instance, then they will follow protocol and let you know what needs doing.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, OP, I don't think you are going to be able to do it, given the MCPS Reg: https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/policy/pdf/jebra.pdf The promotion section makes clear that for kindergarteners, promotion is based on age and that kids who are behind should get extra help. The only options to repeat K would be private or homeschooling. But if your child is struggling, you could use that as evidence that him an IEP or at least a 504 plan. I would think of the specific supports and accommodations you think will help him succeed.

[Anonymous]

Get your child evaluated to make sure there aren't any learning disabilities. If there are, holding back isn't going to fix the issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, OP, I don't think you are going to be able to do it, given the MCPS Reg: https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/policy/pdf/jebra.pdf The promotion section makes clear that for kindergarteners, promotion is based on age and that kids who are behind should get extra help. The only options to repeat K would be private or homeschooling. But if your child is struggling, you could use that as evidence that him an IEP or at least a 504 plan. I would think of the specific supports and accommodations you think will help him succeed.

I don't think all schools follow this as we did private for a few years and despite all top grades, MCPS tried to get us to hold back our younger for the grade child. We refused and they allowed the proper grade but they heavily pushed it calling multiple times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, OP, I don't think you are going to be able to do it, given the MCPS Reg: https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/policy/pdf/jebra.pdf The promotion section makes clear that for kindergarteners, promotion is based on age and that kids who are behind should get extra help. The only options to repeat K would be private or homeschooling. But if your child is struggling, you could use that as evidence that him an IEP or at least a 504 plan. I would think of the specific supports and accommodations you think will help him succeed.

I don't think all schools follow this as we did private for a few years and despite all top grades, MCPS tried to get us to hold back our younger for the grade child. We refused and they allowed the proper grade but they heavily pushed it calling multiple times.

That’s not analogous to OP’s situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, OP, I don't think you are going to be able to do it, given the MCPS Reg: https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/policy/pdf/jebra.pdf The promotion section makes clear that for kindergarteners, promotion is based on age and that kids who are behind should get extra help. The only options to repeat K would be private or homeschooling. But if your child is struggling, you could use that as evidence that him an IEP or at least a 504 plan. I would think of the specific supports and accommodations you think will help him succeed.

I don't think all schools follow this as we did private for a few years and despite all top grades, MCPS tried to get us to hold back our younger for the grade child. We refused and they allowed the proper grade but they heavily pushed it calling multiple times.

That’s not analogous to OP’s situation.

The point is they do allow it but its not a good idea.

[Anonymous]

Tried this with my late summer bday boy a few years ago with no luck. I was told that unless kids are completely failing all benchmarks, they won't allow it.
My son was definitely towards the bottom of the class academically, which is sad to say about a k student, but he was managing. I was getting constant emails from the teacher about his focus and behavior. The following year he was diagnosed with ADHD and received a 504 plan. I would encourage you to ask for your son to be evaluated by the school. You just email the admin and ask and they legally have to do it.

Being a younger boy with attention issues was and continues to be a huge struggle for my son. His self-esteem suffered greatly from being made to feel subpar for his behavior.