Should kindergartners be redshirted? Costs likely outweigh academic benefits
This research brief examines the data on holding back five-year-olds from starting kindergarten – a practice known as redshirting. Using national data from over three million kindergartners from NWEA’s MAP Growth K-2 assessment, this study explores redshirting trends between fall 2017 and 2025. It also follows a kindergarten cohort (2021-22) through the third grade, examining whether there were academic advantages for redshirted students.
Products: MAP Growth
Topics: Early learning, Growth
Technical Appendix: Should kindergartners be redshirted? Costs likely outweigh academic benefits
This is the technical appendix for the research brief titled, “Should kindergartners be redshirted?” which examines the data on holding back five-year-olds from starting kindergarten – a practice known as redshirting.
Products: MAP Growth
Topics: Growth, Early learning
Kindergarten redshirting: What families should know
This is a family facing fact sheet about the data on the practice of delaying kindergarten, known as redshirting. Schools can use this fact sheet with families considering redshirting or who just want more information.
Products: MAP Growth
Topics: Early learning, Growth
Trend Snapshots: COVID-19 recovery in K–2, positive recovery trends
This short research brief highlights trends seen in the latest data released in the NWEA Map Growth National Dashboard. In this latest edition of Trend Snapshots, key findings focus on trends in K-2 academic recovery following the COVID pandemic.
Products: MAP Growth
Topics: COVID-19 & schools, Growth, Seasonal learning patterns & summer loss
From loss to recovery: Diverging paths and uneven gains across schools
This research brief examines two components of school recovery post-COVID pandemic to better understand recovery patterns. These include initial declines in average achievement and post-pandemic gains in average achievement across schools. By understanding these different recovery patterns, the brief offers insights to policy makers and leaders where to invest for long-term improvement and targeting support where it is needed most.
Topics: COVID-19 & schools, Growth, High-growth schools & practices, Seasonal learning patterns & summer loss
Tech Appendix for “From loss to recovery: Diverging paths and uneven gains across schools”
This is the technical appendix to the research brief titled, “From loss to recovery: Diverging paths and uneven gains across schools,” which examines two components of school recovery post-COVID pandemic to better understand recovery patterns.
Topics: COVID-19 & schools, Growth, High-growth schools & practices, Seasonal learning patterns & summer loss
MAP Growth Goal Explorer User’s Guide and FAQ
This user’s guide for the MAP Growth Goal Explorer describes how to use this interactive tool, the benchmarks it uses to provide context on student growth goals, a framework for goal setting, instructions for how to download information from the tool, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Topics: Innovations in reporting & assessment, Empowering educators
