My son is in a special education Kindergarten program. When I went to a meeting at the school to plan for next year, I was told he does not qualify for placement in a regular first grade class. They say if he is promoted to first grade, he will flounder in a class with 24 children and one teacher and would not get any additional help.
The school wants to retain my child. They say they know what's best for him. I don't know what to do. Should I push to have him promoted and placed in a regular education class?
sounds like the school gave you information about your options in
a way that ensured you would make the "right" decision (from
the school's perspective).
National Association of School Psychologists. Retention and Promotion: A Handout for Parents (2007).
"Research does not support the notion that retention helps children to 'catch up' and that 'social promotion' - sending children on to the next grade regardless of performance pushes children through the school system without requiring mastery of basic skills.
National Association of School Psychologists. Position Statement on Student Grade Retention and Social Promotion (2003).
The National Association of School Psychologists promotes the use of interventions that are effective and research-based and discourages the use of practices which, though popular or widely accepted, are neither not beneficial or are harmful to the welfare and educational attainment of Americas children and youth. Through many years of research, the practice of retaining children in grade has been shown to be ineffective in meeting the needs of children who are academically delayed.
should also read "Retention
is Not the Answer" by a North Carolina school psychologist.
This comprehensive article discusses retention and social promotion.