Study: Delaying Kindergarten Has Few Longterm Benefits

Kindergarten Cutoff Conundrum: Is Delaying School Truly a Smart Move for Young Children?

In an era where every decision for a child's future feels monumental, a quiet debate has been simmering among parents: should their little ones hold off on kindergarten for a year? This practice, often termed "redshirting," borrows from the world of collegiate sports, where athletes pause their eligibility to hone their skills. Now, it's a growing consideration for parents whose children are on the cusp of the typical kindergarten age cutoff, usually around six years old.

The idea is simple: by delaying entry, a child becomes one of the oldest in their class, potentially gaining an academic and social edge. But does this strategic pause truly pay off in the long run? A recent comprehensive report sheds light on the reality behind this increasingly discussed parental strategy.

The Redshirting Phenomenon: More Talk Than Action?

Despite the buzz, the data suggests that the practice of redshirting hasn't seen a significant surge. For decades, the percentage of children being held back from kindergarten has remained remarkably stable, hovering around a consistent 5 percent. Even a recent uptick to 6.4 percent during the pandemic appears to be a temporary blip rather than a fundamental shift.

Megan Kuhfeld, director of modeling and data analytics at NWEA, an education research firm, notes the discrepancy between perception and reality. "One of the reasons we wanted to look into it is because we felt like everyone talks about it, but only 1 in 20 students actually do it," she explains. "So why does it feel like everyone was considering it for their children?"

Kuhfeld hypothesizes that the amplified discussion might stem from a smaller, more vocal group of parents whose considerations were amplified on social media. However, when it came time to make the final decision, practical considerations often took precedence. The rising cost of childcare, a significant expense for families, frequently proved to be a deterrent.

"It might seem that this is a good idea but it’s, ‘We’re on the hook for an extra $15,000 in child-care costs,’ which may not be practical for a lot of families," Kuhfeld states. She anticipates that redshirting rates will likely remain steady, with a consistent group of parents considering it but ultimately finding it impractical for various reasons.

Unpacking the Demographics: Who is Redshirting?

The NWEA report did uncover some interesting demographic trends among children who are redshirted. Boys are more likely to be held back than girls, and white students are more frequently opting for this delay than nonwhite students.

In 2021, there was a notable increase in redshirting in specific areas. Rural communities saw a jump from 6.2 percent to 9 percent, while high-poverty areas experienced a rise from 2.2 percent to 4.7 percent. This could be attributed to more affordable or accessible childcare options in smaller towns, perhaps facilitated by friends, family, or neighbors.

The Elusive Advantage: Short-Term Gains, Long-Term Stagnation

Proponents of redshirting often champion the perceived academic and social advantages it offers. The idea is that an older kindergartner will have a head start, both in the classroom and on the playground.

However, the NWEA report suggests these benefits are generally short-lived. While children who are redshirted may initially show higher reading and math scores, equating to roughly 20 percent to 30 percent of a year's worth of learning, this academic gap tends to close by third grade.

By the time these students reach third grade, their peers who entered kindergarten at the earlier age have caught up. The initial academic boost experienced by the redshirted children in math and reading scores effectively evens out, diminishing the perceived advantage.

A Potential Pitfall: The Long Shadow of Delayed Entry

Beyond the diminishing academic gains, there's a more significant concern highlighted by research from the American Economic Association: children who start kindergarten after the age of five are more likely to drop out later in their academic careers.

Kuhfeld emphasizes the importance of considering the broader implications. "People often focus on the short-term gains, but it’s important to keep in mind the perspective of what it means to be the older kid in class, where you turn 18 your junior year of high school," she advises. "It’s just keeping in mind these longer term outcomes and making the best decision for your child."

Mandated Delays: When Policy Shapes Readiness

In some instances, states have begun to implement policies that effectively create a form of mandated redshirting. North Carolina public schools, for example, shifted its kindergarten age cutoff in 2007, requiring students to be five years old by August 31st, an earlier date than the previous mid-October cutoff.

Jade Jenkins, an associate professor of education at the University of California, Irvine, conducted a report examining the effects of these forced delays. Her findings revealed a mixed bag of outcomes.

The Double-Edged Sword of Forced Kindergarten Entry

Jenkins' research indicated that forced delays did lead to improvements in math and reading scores in third through fifth grades. Furthermore, students who experienced these mandated delays into kindergarten showed a 4 percent increase in being identified as academically gifted.

However, the same report also identified a concerning 6 percent drop in disability identification among these students. This suggests that the delay might mask underlying learning challenges rather than resolve them.

According to Jenkins' analysis, the benefits of forced redshirting were more pronounced for lower-income white students, while offering no discernible advantage to Hispanic students. This raises critical questions about equity and the potential for such policies to exacerbate existing achievement gaps.

"Is the valuation of the academic benefits of delayed entry higher than the costs of the hold-out year and the public costs of increased racial-ethnic achievement gaps? Future research can provide a more precise estimate of this calculation, but we find this unlikely," Jenkins states in her report.

The Evolving Landscape of Early Education

The ongoing debate surrounding kindergarten readiness and the practice of redshirting is just one facet of the broader conversation about early childhood education. Some state legislators are even advocating for a nationwide mandatory delay for kindergarten entry.

Meanwhile, others express deep concern over declining kindergarten readiness levels, a trend that has fueled the recent NWEA study. The increasing academic rigor and competitive nature of early education have undoubtedly contributed to this heightened parental focus.

"We wanted to get this information out in an accessible way to have both the advantages and disadvantages, and not get caught up in blanket guidance," Kuhfeld emphasizes. She points to the intense pressure in high socioeconomic status schools and districts, where a "preschool to college" arms race is already underway.

This environment can foster an unhealthy mindset, she suggests, where parents feel compelled to "take every avenue to get ahead." The pursuit of perceived advantages, even through practices like redshirting, may not always align with the best long-term interests of the child.