Holding Back from Kindergarten

Q. Even though my son is old enough to start kindergarten this year, my husband and I decided to hold him back a year. He appears immature to us when we compare him with his peers in other settings, and many of the parents in our community support this practice with their own children. Is there research to support our decision?

A. You are your child’s first and most important teacher, and you obviously need to weigh the pros and cons of such a decision. A recent study from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign suggests that the academic gains of holding children out of kindergarten until they are older are not sustained over time. In fact, the study indicates that those gains disappear by eighth grade and supports the notion that students should start school as early as possible. This study certainly has implications for policymakers, who often spend considerable time debating the cut-off date for kindergarten entrance requirements. However, I will continue to support parents and caregivers to make individual decisions that address the learning needs of a particular child. More information about the study can be found at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2008, August 18), Starting Kindergarten Later Gives Students Only a Fleeting Edge. Science Daily.

Q. One of the items on my child’s school supply list was a calculator. I purchased it, but I am concerned that he will depend on a calculator and not learn basic math skills on his own. At what grade level should the use of calculators begin?

A. Calculators are useful tools for students at any grade level once they know how to calculate answers on their own and have a strong foundation in basic skills. For most students, it makes learning more fun and reduces errors. I often suggest to teachers that they have students work the problems on their own and then use the calculator to check their answers. This immediate feedback is motivating to most students. Use of a four-function calculator is permitted on certain sections of the mathematics standards of learning assessments as early as 4th grade. It is important for students to be knowledgeable about using a calculator before that time.

Jo Lynne DeMary was superintendent of public instruction for Virginia and is currently director of the Center for School Improvement at VCU. She believes that parents empowered by knowledge are the best partners in their children’s education.

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