A serious question. What additional learning takes place when repeating the 6th grade?

 

Really in 6th grade you are learning math that a lot of students have a problem with later on that is actually more useful to most people in real lift than the math used later on. Also, grammar is taught more extensively at that age. Grammar is on the ACT, yet is not worked on much at all passed say the 7th grade.

 

I think a big thing is students get another year to mature. I would guarantee if there was a study done students who get held back make better grades.

I read your post and it is a contradiction. You criticize Eastern Ky for having a disdain for intelligence and then criticize people from Eastern Ky for holding their kid back and them having an extra year of school. What is it about holding students back that is so bad?

 

Post #39, listed below, indicates you're reading only what you want to see, and looking for reasons to get offended …

 

In a state where education has long been an afterthought, and intelligence/intellectualism is often viewed with suspicion and disdain, I'm just not buying your scenario.

This conversation seems to have nothing to do with EC now, its all about holdbacks. Since were on that subject, what is the difference, starting a kid early in school and then deciding to have him or her repeat a grade or waiting until he or she is as old as possible to enter 1st grade? either way, the kid only can play 4 years of varsity sports and the kid has to turn 19 on or before August 1st of its senior year. There is no difference.

A serious question. What additional learning takes place when repeating the 6th grade?

 

Not sure but it is a year when most kids experience their first real growth spurt, atleast the early bloomers. ( ie. kids with hair on chest, beards, armpit hair, etc):jump:

 

I still will never forget the AAu state tourney in 7th grade for my son and there was a 6'5 bearded boy playing for Knox Co. :scared:

A serious question. What additional learning takes place when repeating the 6th grade?

 

If in fact kids are being held back for academic reasons then it would be naive to to think they would simply repeat the prior years lessons. A repeat of the year would allow kids who may have been a bit behind to reach the level of others while kids who were achieving at grade level could be further challenged. Both of these examples would potentially result in higher scores on achievment testing during the 7th grade.

 

Schue I agree with you that education has long been an afterthought in this state but with funding being tied more closely to performance I believe my scenario is not too far off base in some cases. As far as holding kids back for athletic reasons, I think it is ridiculous in most cases. You would be hard pressed to convince me that it is of much benefit athletically to the child.

I will admit that this isn't exclusive to EKy having a "child" repeat a grade, but an entire sixth grade basketball team?

 

Now honestly, if this is indeed true (and I find it hard to believe) then the Board of Education of Elliott County should be ashamed of itself![/QUOTE]

 

The board of education does not determine who is "held back" for non-academic reasons. Policy is made by the Site Based Council and School Boards, but parents have the ultimate say in the matter.

 

Wasn't O.J. Mayo "held back" at HHS?

Another thought.... I believe that this "hold back" situation has only recently become the norm (and not just in EK). I don't like it... but I think it is happening more frequently across the country.

If in fact kids are being held back for academic reasons then it would be naive to to think they would simply repeat the prior years lessons. A repeat of the year would allow kids who may have been a bit behind to reach the level of others while kids who were achieving at grade level could be further challenged. Both of these examples would potentially result in higher scores on achievment testing during the 7th grade.

 

Schue I agree with you that education has long been an afterthought in this state but with funding being tied more closely to performance I believe my scenario is not too far off base in some cases. As far as holding kids back for athletic reasons, I think it is ridiculous in most cases. You would be hard pressed to convince me that it is of much benefit athletically to the child.

 

We certainly agree here.

 

Which of the following is more likely?

 

Dad to mom - Junior's probably gonna gave a growth spurt. Let's hold him back so he can score more points in basketball.

 

Mom to dad - Junior's probably gonna have a growth spurt. Let's hold him back so he can score higher on his 7th grade achievement test.

So, I guess that we can conclude that Elliott County's low turn out is a result of hold backs?

In a state where education has long been an afterthought, and intelligence/intellectualism is often viewed with suspicion and disdain, I'm just not buying your scenario.

 

Don't confuse being aloof and pompus with intelligence/intellectualism.

In my 14 years of teaching, I can't remember one student in our school system ever being "held back" during the middle school (or high school) years. Some students fail, certainly, but no passing kid has been held back.

 

If education is the concern, then perhaps holding these kids back is not the answer. Maybe they need to take time off from extracurricular activities and concentrate on academic studies. I'm sure that Elliott Co schools (and other schools that have similar situations) offer Extended School Services that these students could partake in and get back up to grade level.

In my 14 years of teaching, I can't remember one student in our school system ever being "held back" during the middle school (or high school) years. Some students fail, certainly, but no passing kid has been held back.

 

If education is the concern, then perhaps holding these kids back is not the answer. Maybe they need to take time off from extracurricular activities and concentrate on academic studies. I'm sure that Elliott Co schools (and other schools that have similar situations) offer Extended School Services that these students could partake in and get back up to grade level.

 

Maybe with one more year to mature they could reach their athletic potential and get a scholarship or a better scholar ship to a school where they could reach their academic potential. Do you think that is a Possibility?

Maybe with one more year to mature they could reach their athletic potential and get a scholarship or a better scholar ship to a school where they could reach their academic potential. Do you think that is a Possibility?

 

The percentage of high school basketball players that receive a full scholarship to a college are very small. Not only that, you have to be ready to enter college WHEN you enter college, which means developing your academic potential before that.

 

If kids are struggling academically, perhaps less focus should be put on athletics and more on academics. In this specific occurance, I don't know if the kids that were "held back" have been receiving remedial help during Extended School Service. It's entirely possible and I hope that it is the case. To most, it simply looks like a case of "holding them back" for athletic purposes. Who knows what, if anything, would actually be gained by doing that.

The percentage of high school basketball players that receive a full scholarship to a college are very small. Not only that, you have to be ready to enter college WHEN you enter college, which means developing your academic potential before that.

 

If kids are struggling academically, perhaps less focus should be put on athletics and more on academics. In this specific occurance, I don't know if the kids that were "held back" have been receiving remedial help during Extended School Service. It's entirely possible and I hope that it is the case. To most, it simply looks like a case of "holding them back" for athletic purposes. Who knows what, if anything, would actually be gained by doing that.

 

Playing sports is for fun, but getting a great education, last a lifetime!

 

Why worry about a athletic scholarship, instead work on getting great grades and turn those grades into a academic scholarship were the odds are in your favor as an adult!

 

Far too few students who earn athletic scholarships are able to turn it into money but a much, much higher percentage of academic scholars turn their scholarship into successful ventures for their entire life for themselves and their families.

 

Go with the sure thing and work hard in the class room! The odds are in your favor, of having a successful life that way!

The percentage of high school basketball players that receive a full scholarship to a college are very small. Not only that, you have to be ready to enter college WHEN you enter college, which means developing your academic potential before that.

 

If kids are struggling academically, perhaps less focus should be put on athletics and more on academics. In this specific occurance, I don't know if the kids that were "held back" have been receiving remedial help during Extended School Service. It's entirely possible and I hope that it is the case. To most, it simply looks like a case of "holding them back" for athletic purposes. Who knows what, if anything, would actually be gained by doing that.

 

Thats a great idea and all, but what about the students that do well because of athletics. There is a lot of kids, particularly ones that do not have a good home life that do well in school only so they can participate in athletics. Also, IMO a really big reason to hold a kid back is the maturity level of some kids.