The great redshirting swindle of 2020

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That's a tough one. I imagine with all the red shirting, the class of 2034 will be much larger than 2033 with more competition for private school spots, sports, college etc.

This is why I’m leaning toward not red shirting my June birthday 5 year old. I think K class sizes are going to be huge next year and college admissions nationally will be much tougher for that graduating class.

Yes. And studies have shown that the redshirting advantage fades over time, so by senior year your child will not have an advantage due to age, just more competition for college, scholarships, internships, etc. I am planning to do some homeschooling instead of DL in the fall. My son has already begun reading, so I think he would be bored in Kindergarten in 2021/2022. I just don't want him staring at a screen for hours which is developmentally inappropriate.

Congratulations, what should those of us with full time jobs do?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just to hijack this thread - does anyone have any reccomendations for a K program at a daycare center or other private institution in Fairfax? We were enrolled for hybrid in person, but with that probably being not an option anymore, I'd like to find an in person K program and am willing to pay for it. Will also consider a 4/5 class, and then send my son to 1st grade next year (K is not mandatory in VA). Our preschool doesn't have this class option unfortunately.

No.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s hilarious all the insecure parents that are getting tricked into paying an extra year of tuition by preschools that are starting extra preK or junior K Or K classes this year. You all realize that these places aren’t looking out for you and your kid when they recommend redshirting, right? They lost a lot of money this spring and summer and need to make it up somehow. You’re just easy, gullible targets!

How is doing a K class at a preschool that is now offering one a swindle? We're doing that and will be enrolling in 1st grade in 2021. It's not redshirting.

A lot of people have posted that they’re doing K at a private preschool and then enrolling their child in public K the following year which is stupid. They should do what you are doing, that makes more sense.

[Anonymous]

My prediction is that after the pandemic, Red-Shirting will become the norm. And there will be a school board policy change to address / stop this in a few years.

Parent of a redshirted rising 5th grader who is a definite leader in their grade, but class work is not too challenging. DC is top of class in grades and behavior, but plays sports with older cohort and standaedized scores well above their class peers. I worry they are not challenged enough with grades, but their leadership skills are impressive. There are trade-offs to consider, but leadership skills are a larger benefit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My prediction is that after the pandemic, Red-Shirting will become the norm. And there will be a school board policy change to address / stop this in a few years.

Parent of a redshirted rising 5th grader who is a definite leader in their grade, but class work is not too challenging. DC is top of class in grades and behavior, but plays sports with older cohort and standaedized scores well above their class peers. I worry they are not challenged enough with grades, but their leadership skills are impressive. There are trade-offs to consider, but leadership skills are a larger benefit.

Your child isn't a leader, your child is older. They would have had the same personality regardless of grade. They are only in the top of the class as they are in the wrong grade and a year older. I have the youngest fall kid who we moved ahead with top grades in the class and excellent scores. I don't care about leadership. I want appropriately challenged, in the age appropriate class and happy. Mine would not have been happy a year behind and not being challenged.

[Anonymous]

Agree it’s mostly about childcare. Working parents are trying to find the best solutions for their families. Being able to keep their jobs and not have to do DL at home is important. Also DL doesn’t work so well for preKers and Kers.

Just keep this in mind when another parent holds their child back for developmental reasons and you feel the need to judge them for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My prediction is that after the pandemic, Red-Shirting will become the norm. And there will be a school board policy change to address / stop this in a few years.

Parent of a redshirted rising 5th grader who is a definite leader in their grade, but class work is not too challenging. DC is top of class in grades and behavior, but plays sports with older cohort and standaedized scores well above their class peers. I worry they are not challenged enough with grades, but their leadership skills are impressive. There are trade-offs to consider, but leadership skills are a larger benefit.

Leadership is personality-driven, your child is a natural leader and it has nothing to do with age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My prediction is that after the pandemic, Red-Shirting will become the norm. And there will be a school board policy change to address / stop this in a few years.

Parent of a redshirted rising 5th grader who is a definite leader in their grade, but class work is not too challenging. DC is top of class in grades and behavior, but plays sports with older cohort and standaedized scores well above their class peers. I worry they are not challenged enough with grades, but their leadership skills are impressive. There are trade-offs to consider, but leadership skills are a larger benefit.

I read this as your child being kind of a bully.

[Anonymous]

Are local school districts watching this and planning accordingly for next year? My DS will start kindergarten in 2021 (as scheduled, he doesn't turn 5 for several months) but I know of several parents who are holding their kids back who would have started this year, just because of the pandemic. I'm worried that next year my kid will be in an abnormally large class because MCPS couldn't be bothered to keep track and hire another teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That's a tough one. I imagine with all the red shirting, the class of 2034 will be much larger than 2033 with more competition for private school spots, sports, college etc.

This is why I’m leaning toward not red shirting my June birthday 5 year old. I think K class sizes are going to be huge next year and college admissions nationally will be much tougher for that graduating class.

Yes. And studies have shown that the redshirting advantage fades over time, so by senior year your child will not have an advantage due to age, just more competition for college, scholarships, internships, etc. I am planning to do some homeschooling instead of DL in the fall. My son has already begun reading, so I think he would be bored in Kindergarten in 2021/2022. I just don't want him staring at a screen for hours which is developmentally inappropriate.

Congratulations, what should those of us with full time jobs do?

Hire a nanny or private K. Simple. Holding back doesn't help as you still need child care.

[Anonymous]

So if your kid is 5 before the cutoff and you choose not to enroll them in kindergarten this year, do you have to provide any sort of justification? Or would no one know until you went to enroll them next year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That's a tough one. I imagine with all the red shirting, the class of 2034 will be much larger than 2033 with more competition for private school spots, sports, college etc.

This is why I’m leaning toward not red shirting my June birthday 5 year old. I think K class sizes are going to be huge next year and college admissions nationally will be much tougher for that graduating class.

Yes. And studies have shown that the redshirting advantage fades over time, so by senior year your child will not have an advantage due to age, just more competition for college, scholarships, internships, etc. I am planning to do some homeschooling instead of DL in the fall. My son has already begun reading, so I think he would be bored in Kindergarten in 2021/2022. I just don't want him staring at a screen for hours which is developmentally inappropriate.

Congratulations, what should those of us with full time jobs do?

Hire a nanny or private K. Simple. Holding back doesn't help as you still need child care.

A lot of the private schools are full or unsure if they will open either. And a nanny is generally more expensive than daycare.