Meeting Public Comments

Brenda Gerdes []

The portion of this bill regarding retention in 3rd grade is concerning for many reasons here are just a few: 1. There is a lot research that shares the mental, social and emotional ramifications for youth who are retained. Please checkout that research before voting on this bill. At a minimum add that families be fully informed of ALL potential consequences of deciding to retain their 3rd grade child. 2. It states that if an educator can show a retained student is making gains to close the gap and are 3rd grade proficient they then can be promoted to 4th grade at any point in the academic year. This is concerning as this retained young student would have missed the same amount of 4th grade instruction in literacy, math, social studies, science, etc. that they were retained in 3rd grade leaving them now behind their 4th grade level peers in all areas. 3. This leaves a concern of increasing the potential for a retained 3rd grader to become a victim of bullying and teasing as well as the same occurring when that same child is advanced to 4th grade. Please before advancing such a bill that you do research on the impact this could have on a young persons confidence, self efficacy, educational experiences and social relationships. Seems to me it would be more beneficial and have better outcomes to focus on prevention and earlier intervention to support a childs reading proficiency rather than only focus on a reaction to lack of progress with the most extreme measure that of which retention is. Lets not pass a bill that adds to a childs problem. An ounce of prevention is a pound of cure! Please vote no!