How to Hold a Child Back in School

It's not easy as a parent, teacher or principal to make the decision to hold a child back in school. When making the final decision, you must consider many factors. The adults making the final decision must heavily weigh the pros and cons of the situation, but must make the ultimate decision based on the needs of the child.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Hold a team meeting to include the parent, teacher, and principal of the child that may have to stay back. It's very important that each of these people is present at the meeting so that an ultimate decision may be made. It may also be a wise decision to include the teacher of the next grade level up so that she can look at recorded observations and help decide if the child should be held back.
2. Brainstorm as a team the factors involved in holding the child back. In many situations, it's not solely academics or solely emotional behavior that warrants holding back a child. It's mostly a combination of both, and all weaknesses and strengths of the child must be accounted for in making the decision.
3. Make the decision to hold the child back a grade according to the team's overall viewpoints. If holding the child back can help with his social and academic needs, the decision is wise.
4. Break the news to the child in a very pleasant way. It's important to tell her all the positive things that he's done during the past school year. You must always bring out the strengths of the child so that he doesn't feel dumb. Explain what holding him back a grade can help him succeed with in the long run.
5. Allow for the child to self pity and feel angry, confused and sad. Holding a child back a grade may be very hard for the child to understand. She may feel like it's a punishment when it's supposed to be a way for her to succeed further in life. Take opportunities to discuss with the child your goals for her.