I had a 10 year old in my college Calculus class. The science geek one. And she was fine. I dont see why the fraction of children around the cusp of the FCPS Sept 30 deadline, or even within 1 year of it, cannot just test in. Just DO YOUR JOB FCPS. I know testing requires more effort, but why not dedicate one week of your summers off to do your job and provide testing to children who need it?

Anonymous wrote:12:42 If I redshirt my child, I will be spending the same amount as a year of college for another year of pre-k.

Last school year I paid $6000 for Sept DS2 JrK (giving him an extra year). And I paid over $46,000 for DS1 first year of college. But, whatever. Do what you feel is best for your family.

My child's been in preschool since age 2. He loves learning, playing, academics, etc. He has lots of friends who are older and is on par or ahead academically. There are no delays in anything unless you count that he's not reading chapter books in K. What is the benefit of redshirting a child like this?

Anonymous wrote:Can someone discuss this in more detail beyond driver's licenses? If I have a child who is beyond ready for kindergarten socially and academically, what is the advantage? I understand if your child has delays, but what about the younger sibling who is ready to skip kindergarten and be the same grade as their older sibling? Why should I put this child in another year of pre-k?

Because preschool is fun. Because little kids learn a lot about learning through play. They need to do so much problem solving through play in order to reach higher levels of learning later on in school. If they skip this step or don't satisfactorily develop this area of cognition and skip straight into ABC, 123, rote memorization, they will lack the really important soft skills needed to succeed where raw intelligence will only get you so far. Because there is no rush. Because it is more important to instill a love of learning than just quick grade level mastery. Look deeper. Teach your child that learning opportunities are everywhere, that she has more control over what she learns than the teacher. This happens in good play based preschools--as well as the really good social-emotional stuff.

Anonymous wrote:Can someone discuss this in more detail beyond driver's licenses? If I have a child who is beyond ready for kindergarten socially and academically, what is the advantage? I understand if your child has delays, but what about the younger sibling who is ready to skip kindergarten and be the same grade as their older sibling? Why should I put this child in another year of pre-k?

If your child is ready, do not redshirt. I sent oldest DC on time and he's doing great. He would feel very self conscious if he was in a class with younger kids and all the kids his age were a year ahead--there is stigma attached to being a year behind. I redshirted younger DC because of developmental issues and I don't regret it because it was the right decision, but the stigma of being a year behind is there. Don't subject your child to that unless there is a very good reason.

Anonymous wrote:12:42 If I redshirt my child, I will be spending the same amount as a year of college for another year of pre-k.

It is an extra year to pay for pre-k. College doesn't shrink by one year if you red shirt.

Anonymous wrote:Can someone discuss this in more detail beyond driver's licenses? If I have a child who is beyond ready for kindergarten socially and academically, what is the advantage? I understand if your child has delays, but what about the younger sibling who is ready to skip kindergarten and be the same grade as their older sibling? Why should I put this child in another year of pre-k?

It's called Google, and it is your friend. Use it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redshirting_(academic)

so GLAD I am not your kid. Enjoy the youngins!

Can someone discuss this in more detail beyond driver's licenses? If I have a child who is beyond ready for kindergarten socially and academically, what is the advantage? I understand if your child has delays, but what about the younger sibling who is ready to skip kindergarten and be the same grade as their older sibling? Why should I put this child in another year of pre-k?

Anonymous wrote:

I would have loved to send my child to K a year early, she was ready, but the rule about the September 30 birthday made it impossible. Now she's going to be almost 6, is already reading, writing, doing math, and in K with much younger kids. I don't think that's in her best interest or the interest of the younger kids. It stinks for everyone.

.

I was in the same boat with mine, but I didn't have any trouble finding a private school to accept her.

Redshirts have a tremendous advantage. Regret that we didn't do it. If we had had a redo we would redshirt - no question about it!!!!

Anonymous wrote:12:42 If I redshirt my child, I will be spending the same amount as a year of college for another year of pre-k.

Yep, I had full time daycare for an extra year. Sigh.

12:42 If I redshirt my child, I will be spending the same amount as a year of college for another year of pre-k.

I think Health is called Guidance. Sorry for the confusion. Language classes are only in FLES schools. Guidance should be in every school.

PP here, I am glad I will have one extra year to save for college.

Don't you think it would make sense to group Kindergartners by age given the large variance in ages due to redshirting?