Know What's Happening in Motherhood

Delaying Kindergarten May Have Limited Benefit

A new NWEA analysis of 3 million students found that children who start kindergarten a year later—often called redshirting—show a modest 20‑30% of a school‑year boost in reading and math during early grades. The advantage, however, vanishes by third grade, leaving redshirted students academically indistinguishable from peers who entered on time. Only about 5% of kindergartners are held back, with higher rates among white boys in low‑poverty, rural districts. The study focused solely on test scores, leaving behavioral and social outcomes unexamined.