Anonymous
07/27/2025 12:25
Subject: Why don’t schools have stronger policies about redshirting?
Anonymous wrote:Who said they are doing poorly? it’s an advantage
Exactly. And people like OP have FOMO. That’s all this is about. The redshirted kids are doing fine.
Anonymous
07/27/2025 12:25
Subject: Why don’t schools have stronger policies about redshirting?
Anonymous wrote:Public school boards set these policies. Generally they are hesitant to change a policy if it will make people choose private over public. Since many families in your richer area will switch to private school if the publics disallow redshirting, it's something you will have to live with.
In a mixed income area where the private schools are not that special, a drive to change redshirting policies might get more traction.
The perceived advantages of redshirting dont hold up over time. It's better to be the youngest.
Please link the actual studies that show this. Not the People magazine summary you read. Actual studies.
And I’ll give away the end here: I know and can cite all of the relevant studies because I collected them and analyzed them for fun a few years ago, and I’ve kept up with it. Data analysis is something I’m trained it, and I got tired of all the wildly exaggerated statements made on DCUM about redshirting (mostly from anti-redshirters but also some redshirters). So, I tracked down the alleged sources a few years ago for fun.
There is literally nothing that supports language as conclusive as what you wrote. But, maybe there is a new, broad, comprehensive study out there that I’ve missed. So, please update my citation list for me!
Anonymous
07/27/2025 12:24
Subject: Re:Why don’t schools have stronger policies about redshirting?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The redshirt debate is so dumb. The advantages are highly exaggerated. No one is going to think your kid is super smart because they repeated a grade. And your kid may feel self conscious and embarrassed by being older than everyone else for the rest of their time in school (not to mention being incredibly bored having to repeat a grade).
Lol no. The only people who have a problem are people like OP who think they made a mistake or missed out. It’s all upside for redshirters.
Yeah this really isn’t an issue about a system not working. It’s a parent who isn’t happy with the decision they made for their child.
We went by the guidelines of the school. February is 7 months before the cut off. People take advantage of the system to give their kids an individual advantage. That’s really the issue.
Every single parent should be taking advantage of those opportunities that give their kid an advantage. Why in the world wouldn’t you.
Anonymous
07/27/2025 12:22
Subject: Why don’t schools have stronger policies about redshirting?
Who said they are doing poorly? it’s an advantage
Anonymous
07/27/2025 12:21
Subject: Re:Why don’t schools have stronger policies about redshirting?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The redshirt debate is so dumb. The advantages are highly exaggerated. No one is going to think your kid is super smart because they repeated a grade. And your kid may feel self conscious and embarrassed by being older than everyone else for the rest of their time in school (not to mention being incredibly bored having to repeat a grade).
Who said they are doing poorly? it’s an advantage.
Lol no. The only people who have a problem are people like OP who think they made a mistake or missed out. It’s all upside for redshirters.
I’ve seen it go sideways in athletics with kids who were used to cruising by being the stars in elementary and when some of the younger kids came out ahead post puberty they struggled not being the best on the team and didn’t have the grit and work ethic to keep up and dropped altogether. I saw that even in 4/5 grade when kids started evening out.
I haven’t. No regrets in anyone i have known.
You haven’t reached a higher level of athletics. Both myself and my DH played D1- football and soccer and both of us are summer on time. You can’t fake it at the higher levels
This. Goes for academics too. People at the top have skills (and a work ethic) that are statistically rare. Repeating a grade isn't going to accomplish anything.
Weird that still nobody regrets doing it. Maybe it’s not all about sports.
So are they the most popular kid? They should be with the edge right?
Don’t you know? You claim to know how poorly these kids are doing. Yet the practice remains. Your scare tactics fool nobody.
Anonymous
07/27/2025 12:20
Subject: Re:Why don’t schools have stronger policies about redshirting?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Redshirting doesn't really make any difference unless you do it multiple times. At least three or four times, ideally. Your 10 year old should be in first grade.
Usually for lacrosse you’ll see double redshirts. Summer and spring Kinder hold sacks then again at 8th. That’s the majority of D1 recruits. Other sports are based more on genetics and athletic ability.
Is lacrosse just based on size?
I really don’t think so. There’s smaller kids who do well but the average d1 player like most sports is over 6’. Lax is just a white kid sport that rewards this kind of thing. You can’t get away with it as much in football or basketball. Recruiters want to see pure genetics, not just parenting helping make it happen all the way through by holding back.
Anonymous
07/27/2025 12:20
Subject: Re:Why don’t schools have stronger policies about redshirting?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The redshirt debate is so dumb. The advantages are highly exaggerated. No one is going to think your kid is super smart because they repeated a grade. And your kid may feel self conscious and embarrassed by being older than everyone else for the rest of their time in school (not to mention being incredibly bored having to repeat a grade).
Lol no. The only people who have a problem are people like OP who think they made a mistake or missed out. It’s all upside for redshirters.
I’ve seen it go sideways in athletics with kids who were used to cruising by being the stars in elementary and when some of the younger kids came out ahead post puberty they struggled not being the best on the team and didn’t have the grit and work ethic to keep up and dropped altogether. I saw that even in 4/5 grade when kids started evening out.
I haven’t. No regrets in anyone i have known.
You haven’t reached a higher level of athletics. Both myself and my DH played D1- football and soccer and both of us are summer on time. You can’t fake it at the higher levels
This. Goes for academics too. People at the top have skills (and a work ethic) that are statistically rare. Repeating a grade isn't going to accomplish anything.
Weird that still nobody regrets doing it. Maybe it’s not all about sports.
So are they the most popular kid? They should be with the edge right?
Don’t you know? You claim to know how poorly these kids are doing. Yet the practice remains. Your scare tactics fool nobody.
Anonymous
07/27/2025 12:18
Subject: Re:Why don’t schools have stronger policies about redshirting?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The redshirt debate is so dumb. The advantages are highly exaggerated. No one is going to think your kid is super smart because they repeated a grade. And your kid may feel self conscious and embarrassed by being older than everyone else for the rest of their time in school (not to mention being incredibly bored having to repeat a grade).
Lol no. The only people who have a problem are people like OP who think they made a mistake or missed out. It’s all upside for redshirters.
I’ve seen it go sideways in athletics with kids who were used to cruising by being the stars in elementary and when some of the younger kids came out ahead post puberty they struggled not being the best on the team and didn’t have the grit and work ethic to keep up and dropped altogether. I saw that even in 4/5 grade when kids started evening out.
I haven’t. No regrets in anyone i have known.
You haven’t reached a higher level of athletics. Both myself and my DH played D1- football and soccer and both of us are summer on time. You can’t fake it at the higher levels
This. Goes for academics too. People at the top have skills (and a work ethic) that are statistically rare. Repeating a grade isn't going to accomplish anything.
Weird that still nobody regrets doing it. Maybe it’s not all about sports.
So are they the most popular kid? They should be with the edge right?
Anonymous
07/27/2025 12:17
Subject: Why don’t schools have stronger policies about redshirting?
Anonymous wrote:We live in a very heavy redshirt area. We moved from DC right before kinder. My son is June and his grade is very old. I just found out two more friends are now being held back. He’s incoming first. One has a Feb bday and the other March. Our cut off date is Sep1. They are struggling with reading but the gap is just becoming very large for the kids on time. This is a public school. Right now even with June he’s the youngest boy in the grade. When we started I actually asked admin these questions and they weren’t honest about it and said most went on time born in summer. Once we started I realized almost everyone from March on redshirted so he’s significantly younger. He’s doing fine but I wish the school was honest about it prior to starting as he’s made friends now so it would be a big transition to do it now.
NP. It is always so interesting how DCUMs anti-redshirt posters find themselves living in school districts that are so statistically aberrant from national norms. Quite a unique thing, this unusual ability to land squarely in places that are standard deviations of the norm.
Anonymous
07/27/2025 12:16
Subject: Re:Why don’t schools have stronger policies about redshirting?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Redshirting doesn't really make any difference unless you do it multiple times. At least three or four times, ideally. Your 10 year old should be in first grade.
Usually for lacrosse you’ll see double redshirts. Summer and spring Kinder hold sacks then again at 8th. That’s the majority of D1 recruits. Other sports are based more on genetics and athletic ability.
Is lacrosse just based on size?
Anonymous
07/27/2025 12:16
Subject: Re:Why don’t schools have stronger policies about redshirting?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The redshirt debate is so dumb. The advantages are highly exaggerated. No one is going to think your kid is super smart because they repeated a grade. And your kid may feel self conscious and embarrassed by being older than everyone else for the rest of their time in school (not to mention being incredibly bored having to repeat a grade).
Lol no. The only people who have a problem are people like OP who think they made a mistake or missed out. It’s all upside for redshirters.
I’ve seen it go sideways in athletics with kids who were used to cruising by being the stars in elementary and when some of the younger kids came out ahead post puberty they struggled not being the best on the team and didn’t have the grit and work ethic to keep up and dropped altogether. I saw that even in 4/5 grade when kids started evening out.
Elementary athletics go by their own cutoff rules. Not relevant at all.
Our area is done by grade
What area does all sports by grade?
Anonymous
07/27/2025 12:15
Subject: Re:Why don’t schools have stronger policies about redshirting?
Anonymous wrote:Redshirting doesn't really make any difference unless you do it multiple times. At least three or four times, ideally. Your 10 year old should be in first grade.
Usually for lacrosse you’ll see double redshirts. Summer and spring Kinder hold sacks then again at 8th. That’s the majority of D1 recruits. Other sports are based more on genetics and athletic ability.
Anonymous
07/27/2025 12:15
Subject: Re:Why don’t schools have stronger policies about redshirting?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The redshirt debate is so dumb. The advantages are highly exaggerated. No one is going to think your kid is super smart because they repeated a grade. And your kid may feel self conscious and embarrassed by being older than everyone else for the rest of their time in school (not to mention being incredibly bored having to repeat a grade).
Lol no. The only people who have a problem are people like OP who think they made a mistake or missed out. It’s all upside for redshirters.
I’ve seen it go sideways in athletics with kids who were used to cruising by being the stars in elementary and when some of the younger kids came out ahead post puberty they struggled not being the best on the team and didn’t have the grit and work ethic to keep up and dropped altogether. I saw that even in 4/5 grade when kids started evening out.
I haven’t. No regrets in anyone i have known.
You haven’t reached a higher level of athletics. Both myself and my DH played D1- football and soccer and both of us are summer on time. You can’t fake it at the higher levels
This. Goes for academics too. People at the top have skills (and a work ethic) that are statistically rare. Repeating a grade isn't going to accomplish anything.
Weird that still nobody regrets doing it. Maybe it’s not all about sports.
Anonymous
07/27/2025 12:14
Subject: Re:Why don’t schools have stronger policies about redshirting?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The redshirt debate is so dumb. The advantages are highly exaggerated. No one is going to think your kid is super smart because they repeated a grade. And your kid may feel self conscious and embarrassed by being older than everyone else for the rest of their time in school (not to mention being incredibly bored having to repeat a grade).
Lol no. The only people who have a problem are people like OP who think they made a mistake or missed out. It’s all upside for redshirters.
I’ve seen it go sideways in athletics with kids who were used to cruising by being the stars in elementary and when some of the younger kids came out ahead post puberty they struggled not being the best on the team and didn’t have the grit and work ethic to keep up and dropped altogether. I saw that even in 4/5 grade when kids started evening out.
Same for academics.
If you are truly gifted, then redshirting can give you that edge to be a champion. But that needs to overcome the challenge of not being challenged in your grade level program.
If you are not truly gifted, but redshirting for edge, then redshirting is just delaying inevitable lackluster performance.
If you are holding back a year because you aren't mature enough for the original assigned grade, you'll thrive.
Truly gifted kids don't gain an edge by being redshirted. They perform at the top either way.
One of my kids is gifted and has a summer birthday and we would never have redshirted her because it would have been so painful. Can you imagine teaching yourself to read at age 3, and the. Not starting K until 6, and having to sit there while your peers sound out letters? It was hard enough at 5.
Starting on time and then working with the school for pullouts (for instance doing reading and math lessons with a higher grade group) has worked for us. We also supplement a ton with AoPs and a writing group after school. School is still valuable for socializing, making friends, developing classroom skills and learning to work with many different types of people.
Had this particular kid not been academically advanced, we might have redshirted for social reasons. But she was so it was off the table. But the social stuff is why she will not be skipping a grade. It will get easier in middle where there is more differentiation, as she'll be able to bump up grades for certain subjects and may even take some HS classes. Elementary has been about balancing social and academic needs. They are both important.
Anonymous
07/27/2025 12:14
Subject: Re:Why don’t schools have stronger policies about redshirting?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The redshirt debate is so dumb. The advantages are highly exaggerated. No one is going to think your kid is super smart because they repeated a grade. And your kid may feel self conscious and embarrassed by being older than everyone else for the rest of their time in school (not to mention being incredibly bored having to repeat a grade).
Lol no. The only people who have a problem are people like OP who think they made a mistake or missed out. It’s all upside for redshirters.
I’ve seen it go sideways in athletics with kids who were used to cruising by being the stars in elementary and when some of the younger kids came out ahead post puberty they struggled not being the best on the team and didn’t have the grit and work ethic to keep up and dropped altogether. I saw that even in 4/5 grade when kids started evening out.
I haven’t. No regrets in anyone i have known.
You haven’t reached a higher level of athletics. Both myself and my DH played D1- football and soccer and both of us are summer on time. You can’t fake it at the higher levels
This. Goes for academics too. People at the top have skills (and a work ethic) that are statistically rare. Repeating a grade isn't going to accomplish anything.