Investigating the Prevalence of Academic Redshirting Using Population-Level Data

• In Event: 33.080 - Poster Session 6
  In Poster Session: 33.080-5 - Division L Poster Session 2: Education Policy, Governance, and Finance

Abstract

The practice of academic redshirting, or holding children back a year prior to enrolling in kindergarten, continues to be a cause of concern for parents, educators, and policy makers. While most studies investigating redshirting have used small statewide samples or older nationally-representative datasets, the current study used population-level data from one Mid-Atlantic state that spanned several years. Study findings indicate a downward trend in redshirting rates (3.5% in fall of 2012). Of the redshirted students, most were born in the summer months (>70%) and at least a fifth of redshirters had an identified disability. Rates have been stable and lower than previously reported national estimates suggesting that the practice, at least in one state, is not as widespread as feared.

Author

• Francis Howard Lim Huang, University of Missouri