Staying Back to Move Ahead

Should my kid stay back?

Should my kid stay back?

It’s that time of the year, the end of the year. Many students have not got what they needed due to the pandemic. Retention is not a powerful strategy for a kid with dyslexia or other learning disabilities .

The old idea of holding a kid back to “catch up,” comes from the thought that kids need a level of maturity to learn.

My son was retained in kindergarten. It was before I went from being his auntie to being his mommy. He spent two years in the same class with the same “not too warm and fuzzy,” veteran teacher. He did the same reading program for two years despite it being ineffective. I didn’t have the choice as a parent to decide whether he should stay back. All I know is that it didn’t work. He has hardly made growth since this first special education determination. Staying back wasn’t some magic wand. It just stalled his progress and hide the fact that his program wasn’t effective.


We had his triennial evaluation and it was not amazing. I constantly remind the team that he was retained so we truly can measure his growth. I want to close the gap so he becomes a lifelong reader.

If your kid is like my kid and has dyslexia or a learning disability targeted instruction is the solution not retention.

This is a something serious to consider. The decision is a personal one with some factors to consider.

Here are 2 factors to consider;

1. How will your kid respond socially and emotionally to staying back?

2. What problems will this retention solve?

If you are stuck on retention then here are some musts-
-Get a plan from the school on exactly what will improve with retention
-Will it be with the same teacher?
-How will the instruction or services change?

If there aren’t specific answers from the school then I would be wary.

Reach out to me if you have any questions, comments and need support.

Melissa Saliva is a Reading Consultant and founder of Beacon Valley Literacy Services. She helps parents help kids with dyslexia.

Visit us on YouTube and Facebook.