A mother questions the authority of her son’s school to refuse holding him back, as he reads at a first-grade level despite being in fifth grade. In a TikTok video, education expert Karen Mayer Cunningham offers insight, explaining that retention decisions are made by the administration. While retention is debated, Cunningham suggests it becomes more challenging as children grow older due to social factors. The reading level discrepancy in elementary school children is attributed to various factors, including underfunded schools and teaching methods. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, a significant portion of American students read below basic levels. The responsibility for low reading levels is debated among educators and parents, with some blaming schools and teaching methods. Despite concerns, teachers often lack the power to retain struggling students, as the decision lies with the administration.
A mother states that her fifth-grade son reads at a first-grade level, but the school refuses to retain him.
Updated on May 9, 2024